Mike McCullough

Biography:

Born in Oshawa, Mike made his name as a star football player in Kingston playing for the Holy Cross Crusaders junior and senior teams. After a five-year high school career Mike went on to play for the St. Francis Xavier X-Men. He was named defensive all-star in his senior year where he recorded 45 tackles, five quarterback sacks and was first in the Atlantic University Football Conference with 12 tackles for lost yardage including two forced fumbles.

In 2003 Mike was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the third round, 23rd overall, where in his rookie year led the team in special teams tackles with 16. In the 2004 playoffs Mike recorded four special teams tackles in the Canadian Football League’s west division semi-final and three special teams tackles in the west division final.

In 2006 Mike missed four games due to a knee injury but started 13 regular season games at middle linebacker, a position usually reserved for a U.S. import player. That year he finished with 33 tackles, three special team tackles and a pair of quarterback sacks. In 2007 Mike started two games at middle linebacker and dressed in both playoff games as well as the Grey Cup. In 2009 he started eight games at middle linebacker and was chosen CFL Canadian Player of the Week in Week 14. In the 2009 & 2010 Mike had a combined nine defensive tackles and two special teams tackles.

Mike retired in 2014 after 11 seasons and 185 games in the CFL, 110 of those consecutive. Mike was also a five year captain of the Roughriders. In all he totaled 187 defensive tackles, 113 special teams tackles, 11 quarterback sacks and one interception. He’s a two-time Grey Cup winner with the Roughriders, in 2007 and 2013.

He was the recipient of the 2008 and 2009 Mosaic Community Award presented annually to the Roughrider who contributes the most to the community and was the inaugural recipient of the CFL’s Jake Gaudaur Veteran Award.