Quick Summary
- Former Ohio State long snapper Michael Roen McCullough arrested in Columbus on felony strangulation charges.
- Accused of punching and choking his girlfriend, leaving her with a black eye and bruises.
- McCullough played for OSU from 2018–2020 as a walk-on but never appeared in a game.
- He remains in Franklin County Jail without bond ahead of a court hearing.
Ex-Buckeye Michael Roen McCullough accused of assaulting girlfriend in Columbus
A former Ohio State football player has been arrested on a felony charge of strangulation after allegedly attacking his girlfriend during a violent domestic dispute that left her with visible injuries.
Michael Roen McCullough, 25, a former walk-on long snapper for the Buckeyes, was booked into Franklin County Jail on August 29. He is accused of punching his girlfriend multiple times, choking her, and pushing her against a window during an altercation earlier that day, according to police reports cited by The Columbus Dispatch and New York Post.
What Police Say Happened
Columbus Police said they were called to a domestic violence complaint around 9 p.m. on August 29. The woman, identified as McCullough’s girlfriend, told officers the violence began that morning while the two were driving.
According to court documents:
- The argument escalated after McCullough allegedly broke her phone.
- He then punched her in the face several times.
- He allegedly grabbed her by the throat and shoved her against a window.
- The woman said she blacked out and only regained consciousness once they were back home.
Police noted she had a black eye, swollen lip, cut, and a bruise on her throat, consistent with her account. She also told officers she “could not breathe at all and felt panicked” during the choking.
McCullough is currently being held without bond and is due in court Tuesday.
Who Is Michael Roen McCullough?
- Hometown: Columbus, Ohio.
- High School: Worthington Kilbourne.
- College Football Career: Walk-on long snapper for Ohio State from 2018–2020. He did not appear in any games.
- Academics: Majored in finance at OSU’s Fisher College of Business. He was recognized as:
- Three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete.
- Two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
- Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2020. (Men’s Journal).
Despite his academic success, McCullough never saw game action for the Buckeyes.
Broader Context
The arrest adds to a troubling series of domestic violence cases involving current and former athletes across college and professional sports. Advocates stress the need for more education, prevention programs, and accountability mechanisms both on and off the field.
Domestic violence remains a serious issue in Ohio. According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, the state reports hundreds of fatalities each year linked to intimate partner violence, with strangulation recognized as one of the most dangerous forms of abuse due to its high risk of lethality.
What Happens Next?
McCullough remains jailed pending his court appearance. If convicted, he faces significant prison time given the felony-level strangulation charge, which Ohio courts treat as a serious violent offense.
The case is ongoing, and no plea has been entered as of Monday.