Adrian McPherson

Early years

McPherson is a former Florida Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football Florida (the first athlete to have awarded both honors in Florida history) as a student at Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida, He began his career at Florida State playing quarterback on the football team and point guard on the basketball team after attending Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida, where he was named Gatorade Florida Football Player of the season, passing for 3,728 yards and 42 touchdowns and rushing for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior at Southeast. Additionally, he played third base for his American Legion baseball team, which won a state championship in the summer of 2002.

College career

McPherson played two seasons (2001–02) at Florida State University. As a sophomore in 2002, he started four games, completing 80 of 156 passes for 1,017 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 180 yards on 48 carries. As a true freshman he had appeared in nine games with the Seminoles in 2001, completing 23 of 37 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

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 that there had been a cover up and alleged that legendary head coach Bobby Bowden had played a major role in it.

Statistics

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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 from the Indiana Firebirds by the new Utah Blaze of the AFL in their 2005 expansion draft. The move was widely considered to be a gamble, considering his unknown status before the NFL's 2005 Draft. Following the NFL draft, McPherson was placed by the AFL on the "other-league exempt list" until further notice.

Austin Wranglers

Finally on November 9, 2006, McPherson was activated by the AFL 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, winning the Grey Cup in 2009 and 2010. Two weeks before entering free agency, McPherson was released on February 1, 2013 so that he could pursue offers from other teams.

Tampa Bay Storm

On Feb. 19, 2013, McPherson signed with the Tampa Bay Storm. On May 10, 2013, McPherson broke the AFL record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback. Two months later McPherson's season ended with a right leg injury.

Calgary Stampeders

In January 2014, McPherson was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.

Los Angeles KISS

On October 28, 2014, McPherson was assigned to the Los Angeles KISS of the AFL.

Toronto Argonauts

After recovering from an injury that he received during his tenure with the LA KISS, McPherson was signed by the Toronto Argonauts on June 13, 2015. However, one year later, he was released by the Argonauts (on Wednesday, June 15, 2016). On July 20, 2016, he was re-signed by the Argonauts; but on August 27, 2016, he was released again.