Andy McCullough

Andy McCullough (born November 11, 1978) is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League, NFL Europe and Arena Football League.

Early years
McCullough attended Meadowdale High School in Dayton, Ohio, where he excelled in both football and basketball. Although he did not play a down of football until he began high school, McCullough was recruited by over 31 different colleges for football. He accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Tennessee.

College career
McCullough played college football for the University of Tennessee, where he was a four-year letterman (1994–1997). During his career with the Volunteers he played in 44 games, totaling 59 catches for 903 yards (15.3 average) and eight touchdowns. During the 1997 season he caught the last pass of Peyton Manning's college career.

As a true freshman, McCullough played in 8 games. He received for 45 yards in 4 catches. He also played a major role in the Gator Bowl win over Virginia Tech. In his sophomore year, McCullough had 9 catches totaling 81 yards and a touchdown. He finished out his Junior year fourth on the Tennessee team with a total of 32 yards receiving in 24 catches and 4 touchdowns. In his final year, as a senior, Andy finished with 42 yards and 3 touchdowns in 22 receptions. In the Orange Bowl that year, he caught a 29 yard pass, the teams longest reception.

1998
McCullough was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. He was released in final cuts on August 30. Subsequently, McCullough spent time on the Miami Dolphins and Detroit LionsThe Arizona Cardinals signed him on November 19, where he remained for the rest of the season.

1999
The Cardinals re-signed McCullough from the practice squad on January 19, 1999 and allocated him to NFL Europe where he played for the Frankfurt Galaxy.

McCullough had a standout season in Europe, recording 48 receptions (fourth in league) for 883 yards (second in league) and ten touchdowns (third in league). He also returned eight kickoffs for 158 yards and two punts for 46 yards. In a week six match-up with the Scottish Claymores he caught a career-best eight receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

McCullough earned World Bowl MVP honors as the Galaxy captured the NFL Europe League championship. He caught six passes for 151 yards and scored three touchdowns in Frankfurt's 38–24 win over the Barcelona Dragons.

Following the NFL Europe season, McCullough returned to Arizona. He played in two games for the Cardinals during the 1999 NFL season, catching three passes for 45 yards.

2000
McCullough was released by the Arizona Cardinals during preseason on August 24, 2000. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him on August 30. During the 2000 NFL season McCullough also spent time on the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans.

2001
In 2001, McCullough was signed by the Oakland Raiders and allocated to the NFL Europe League where he played, again, for the Frankfurt Galaxy. He led the team in receptions with 41 (fourth in league) and recorded 460 yards and three touchdowns. The Raiders released him in final cuts on September 2.

2002
McCullough signed with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League on January 22, 2002. He finished the season with 82 catches for 836 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. Following the season McCullough was selected to the AFL All-Rookie Team.

McCullough also played defense for Dallas, recording eight tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He was named game MVP twice in 2002. First against Detroit, where he scored career high totals in touchdowns (5), catches (14), and yards (152). The second, in Tampa Bay where he led the team with a touchdown, 95 yards and 8 receptions. McCullough also set up the game winning touchdown by recovering a fumble in overtime.

2003
The Dallas Desperados finished the season ranked first in total offense, and fifth in scoring with the help of McCullough, who was one of a three part offensive attack. He experienced career highs in both receiving with 96 catches, and total yards with 1,215. He tied his career high in touchdowns with 24. He was also had huge achievements on defense for the team racking up a career high in tackles with 22.5 and team and career highs in fumble recoveries with 3.

McCullough was named Ironmade of the Game twice that season. The first time against Arizona, where he forced numerous incompletions and racked up 128 yards on offense. The second time was against Detroit, where he scored, had 64 yards and posted an interception.

McCullough received yet another game MVP with his performance in Los Angeles when he experienced the first two interceptions of his career.

McCullough also was named game MVP against Chicago, when he scored 2 touchdowns & caught for 118 yards in 7 catches.

During the playoffs he tied for the team lead scoring 3 touchdowns, having 14 catches and receiving for 149 yards. He was named Ironman of the Game in the first round of the playoffs against Indiana when he led the team with 99 yards in 9 catches and scoring 3 times.

2004
McCullough was signed by the Georgia Force on January 5, 2004. On March 11, he was part of a midseason trade, moving from Georgia to the Indiana Firebirds. Even though he only played 10 games with Indiana, he ranked third on the team in touchdowns (9), and fifth in yards (351) and receptions (29).

2005
McCullough was signed with the Colorado Crush in 2005. He had an outstanding year on both offense and defense. He had 16.5 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and broke up one pass. On offense, he finished the season with 740 yards, 11 touchdowns and 71 receptions.

During the playoffs McCullough made a tackle and had 41 yards in 3 catches in the first rounds. In the Conference Championship game McCullough caught the game winning toughdown, catching 11 passes overall for 137 yards and four touchdowns. In the Divisional round, McCullough had 1 tackle, 2 touchdowns, 122 yards and 7 receptions.

2006
In 2006 and 2007 McCullough ranked up his best numbers as a player on the Colorado Crush. In 2006, defensively, he had 19.5 tackles, a forced fumble, and one interception. He also racked up 1,093 yards and 14 touchdowns in 92 catches. In a game in Los Angeles, McCullough added a season high with four tackles before he was hauled out of the game on a stretcher in the fourth quarter. He was taken to an area hospital were he was diagnosed with a neck injury, a concussion, and four broken molars. McCullough was named Defensive Player of the Game this year in the contest against Nashville.

During the 2006 playoffs McCullough had an outstanding game in the Divisional Round. He had 7 receptions for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. McCullough also had 2 tackles on defense.

2008
McCullough signed with the Cleveland Gladiators on February 26, 2008. He started the first three games of the season, catching 14 passes for 156 yards and scoring a touchdown on a 37-yard pass from quarterback Raymond Philyaw on the first play from scrimmage against the New York Dragons in week one. The Gladiators released him on March 18, 2008.

Personal
McCullough earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee.

A prep basketball and football star at Meadowdale H.S. in Dayton, he averaged 29 points to lead the state of Ohio in scoring and was named second team All-State as senior basketball player. McCullough didn’t begin playing football until his freshmen year of high school. He was Named Street and Smith All-American, all-state, all-area and all city as a senior linebacker. As a split end, he caught 35 passes for 595 yards and 10 TDs and defensively, registered 95 hits, including 10 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss as a senior. He was named city champion his senior year.