Pablo Torre Finds Out One Yard at a Time: A Mystery (PTFO Vault)
Dec 26, 2025
In this captivating conversation, sports journalist Sarah Spain and NFL coach Deland McCullough explore Deland's remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in a struggling Youngstown to winning a Super Bowl. They dive into his emotional experience of discovering his adoption at age seven and the surprising revelation that his mentor, Sherman Smith, is his biological father. Their discussion touches on family dynamics, identity, and the power of reconciliation, all while hinting at the potential for a film adaptation that includes a quirky recruiting story involving Sir Mix-a-Lot.
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Youngstown Childhood Shaped Resilience
- DeLand McCullough grew up in Youngstown after being adopted and raised by a radio DJ father who later left the family.
- His childhood included poverty, abusive partners in the home, and listening to his dad's voice on the radio while lacking a present father figure.
Car, Recruiter, Mentor: Sherman Smith Moment
- Sherman Smith recruited DeLand to Miami of Ohio and drove up in a candy-apple red-and-gold Mercedes.
- That recruitment and Smith's mentorship created a father-figure bond that influenced DeLand's path into football and coaching.
From Record Setter To Career-Ending Injury
- DeLand set Miami of Ohio's all-time rushing record and expected to be drafted, but a severe knee injury in the NFL preseason derailed his playing career.
- He fought back through surgeries and alternative leagues before transitioning to education and then coaching.