Mike McCullough (Canadian football)
Encyclopedia
Mike McCullough is a Canadian football
linebacker
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
of the Canadian Football League
. McCullough was drafted by the Roughriders in the third round of the 2003 CFL Draft
, after playing his college football
at St. Francis Xavier University
.
in the Atlantic University Sport
Conference. In his senior season, McCullough was named to the conference's defensive all-star team as well as being named an academic all-star.
. He has been a key contributor on special teams, leading the Roughriders in special teams tackles during his rookie season. While with the Roughriders, McCullough has been the recipient of numerous awards for community service, including the club's Mosaic Community Service Award in 2008 and 2009. McCullough was the team's nominee for the Tom Pate Memorial Award
in 2009 and 2010, presented by the CFL Player's Association for community service. After the 2010 CFL season
, McCullough was awarded the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy
, for being judged as the CFL Player who "best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict."
McCullough would have been a free agent in February 2011 after the 2010 season
, but signed a new contract with the team on December 22, 2010.
. His son Cole, who suffered from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and epilepsy, died in February 2009 after suffering a seizure in his sleep. McCullough has also devoted time to the Chris Knox Foundation in Regina, after befriending Knox, a young man battling cancer, in the leadup to the Roughriders win in the 2007 Grey Cup
. McCullough was featured on pennants sold by the charity during the 2010 season
as a fundraiser.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. McCullough was drafted by the Roughriders in the third round of the 2003 CFL Draft
2003 CFL Draft
The 2003 CFL Draft took place on April 30, 2003. 53 players were chosen for Canadian Football League teams from among the eligible CIS football players from Canadian universities, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA.-Round one:-Round two:...
, after playing his college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
.
University football
McCullough played four seasons for the St. Francis Xavier University X-MenSt. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
in the Atlantic University Sport
Atlantic University Sport
Atlantic University Sport is a regional membership association for Canadian universities which assists in co-ordinating competition between their university level athletic programs and providing contact information, schedules, results, and releases about those programs and events to the public and...
Conference. In his senior season, McCullough was named to the conference's defensive all-star team as well as being named an academic all-star.
Professional football
After his university career, McCullough was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2003 CFL Draft2003 CFL Draft
The 2003 CFL Draft took place on April 30, 2003. 53 players were chosen for Canadian Football League teams from among the eligible CIS football players from Canadian universities, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA.-Round one:-Round two:...
. He has been a key contributor on special teams, leading the Roughriders in special teams tackles during his rookie season. While with the Roughriders, McCullough has been the recipient of numerous awards for community service, including the club's Mosaic Community Service Award in 2008 and 2009. McCullough was the team's nominee for the Tom Pate Memorial Award
Tom Pate Memorial Award
Every year the Canadian Football League Players' Association presents the Tom Pate Award. It is not a "Jock Award," but rather an award given to players who display qualities that distinguish them from their peers....
in 2009 and 2010, presented by the CFL Player's Association for community service. After the 2010 CFL season
2010 CFL season
The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28...
, McCullough was awarded the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy
Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy
The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented annually to the Canadian Football League player "who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict." The award was first presented in 2010, and the first recipient was Mike McCullough of the...
, for being judged as the CFL Player who "best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict."
McCullough would have been a free agent in February 2011 after the 2010 season
2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders season
The 2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders season was the 53rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders attempted to win their 4th Grey Cup championship, but they lost to the Montreal Alouettes...
, but signed a new contract with the team on December 22, 2010.
Personal life
McCullough is married, and lives in Regina year round with his wife and family. He devotes a considerable amount of time to charities, with much of time directed to Jesse's Journey, a foundation that funds research into Duchenne Muscular DystrophyDuchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a recessive X-linked form of muscular dystrophy, which results in muscle degeneration, difficulty walking, breathing, and death. The incidence is 1 in 3,000 boys. Females and males are affected, though females are rarely affected and are more often carriers...
. His son Cole, who suffered from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and epilepsy, died in February 2009 after suffering a seizure in his sleep. McCullough has also devoted time to the Chris Knox Foundation in Regina, after befriending Knox, a young man battling cancer, in the leadup to the Roughriders win in the 2007 Grey Cup
95th Grey Cup
The 95th Grey Cup was held in Toronto at the Rogers Centre on November 25, 2007. The Grey Cup, first awarded in 1909, is the championship game of the Canadian Football League. It was played between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with the Roughriders winning 23-19...
. McCullough was featured on pennants sold by the charity during the 2010 season
2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders season
The 2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders season was the 53rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders attempted to win their 4th Grey Cup championship, but they lost to the Montreal Alouettes...
as a fundraiser.