Adrian McPherson

Adrian Jamal McPherson (born May 8, 1983 in Bradenton, Florida) is a professional Arena football quarterback who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League. He most recently played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.

McPherson has been a member of the Indiana Firebirds, Utah Blaze, Austin Wranglers and Grand Rapids Rampage.

Early years
A former Florida Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football (the first athlete to have both honors in Florida history) as a student at Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida, McPherson began his career at Florida St. playing quarterback on the football team and point guard on the basketball team. Attended Southeast High School in Bradenton, Fla.

Gatorade Florida Football Player of the season.

Passed for 3,728 yards and 42 touchdowns and rushed for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior at Southeast.

Played third base for his American Legion baseball team that won a state championship in the summer of 2002.

2003
In 2003 Played two seasons (2001-02)at Florida State University. As a sophomore in 2002, started four games, completing 80 of 156 passes for 1,017 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception. Also rushed for 180 yards on 48 carries.

A true freshman, appeared in nine games with the Seminoles in 2001, completing 23 of 37 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

2003 arrest
In 2003, McPherson was arrested and charged with stealing and forging a signature on a blank check from a Tallahassee shop, R&R Truck Accessories. The check ended up in the possession of McPherson's high school friend and teammate Melvin Capers, and was cashed for $3,500. Capers later told police that he gave most of the money to McPherson.

McPherson was also tried on allegations that he bet on professional and college football games in the spring of 2003. McPherson was represented at trial by Grady C. Irvin, who earned fame representing former National Baptist Convention President Henry Lyons on embezzlement charges in the late 1990s, and Charles "Chuck" Hobbs, who later garnered national attention while representing several Florida A&M University students in the "Kappa Hazing" trial televised on CourtTV in 2006. During the trial, Irvin attacked the university by suggesting a cover up and legendary head coach Bobby Bowden for an alleged role in the same.

Indiana Firebirds
After a jury found McPherson not guilty, he tried to enroll at Tennessee State but when it became clear the NCAA would not allow him to play collegiate sports, he chose to turn pro and sign with the Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League, where he threw 61 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions, and ran for 19 touchdowns. Because of his exceptional play, he was named the 2004 AFL Rookie of the Year. He could have opted for the 2004 NFL Draft or a Supplemental Draft but chose to pay his dues in the AFL and prove to the NFL that he had matured.

New Orleans Saints
Later that spring McPherson was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

On August 12, 2006, McPherson was hit by a golf cart driven by the Tennessee Titans mascot during half-time. On December 8, 2006, he sued the Titans because of the accident that occurred during the pre-season game at LP Field. The suit sought $15 million in punitive damages and $5 million in compensatory damages.

Utah Blaze
Before McPherson signed with the Saints following the 2005 NFL Draft, he was acquired by the Utah Blaze of the AFL in their 2005 expansion draft. The move was widely considered to be a gamble, considering what his unknown status before the NFL's 2005 Draft. Following the draft, McPherson was placed on the "other-league exempt list" until further notice.

Austin Wranglers
Finally on November 9, 2006, McPherson was activated to the league and a week later traded to the Austin Wranglers in exchange for future considerations.

Grand Rapids Rampage
McPherson was signed by the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2007 as a back-up quarterback for Chad Salsbury. That season for the Rampage, he completed 76 of 129 passes for 819 yards and nine touchdowns with four interceptions.

In 2008, McPherson went 27-for-50 for 368 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He was released by the team in April.

Montreal Alouettes
In May 2008, McPherson was signed by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He debuted with the Alouettes in a CFL pre-season game, on June 12, 2008, against the Toronto Argonauts. He completed four of eight passes for 105 yards, and one touchdown pass. The Alouettes and Argonauts played to a 34-34 tie in Montreal. McPherson spent five seasons as the back up to franchise quarterback Anthony Calvillo. Two weeks before entering free agency, McPherson was released on February 1, 2013 so that he could pursue offers from other teams.