Former Ohio State Long Snapper Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges
In a troubling development that has shocked the Ohio State community, former Buckeyes long snapper Michael Roen McCullough was arrested early Friday morning in Columbus following allegations of domestic violence. The 25-year-old athlete, who served as a walk-on for Ohio State from 2018 to 2020 before medically retiring from football in 2021, now faces serious legal consequences after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend during an argument. According to police records, Columbus law enforcement responded to a domestic violence call shortly before 1:30 a.m., where they encountered McCullough’s girlfriend with visible injuries. She reported that what began as a verbal disagreement escalated dramatically when McCullough allegedly punched her in the face multiple times and then proceeded to strangle her. In her statement to police, the woman described a terrifying experience, saying she “could not breathe at all and felt panicked” during the alleged assault. Perhaps most alarming was her claim that she lost consciousness during the incident and only regained awareness once they had returned home. The severity of the allegations prompted immediate action from authorities, who arrested McCullough on the spot and transported him to the Franklin County Corrections Center, where records show he is being held on a strangulation charge.
The incident represents a stunning fall for a young man who once earned recognition for his athletic abilities. During his time at Ohio State, McCullough developed into a respected specialist, eventually earning second-team all-conference honors in his senior season. His skills had not gone unnoticed at the national level either, as he was rated the fourth-best long snapper in the country during his collegiate career. Though never a household name like some of his more famous Buckeye teammates, McCullough had carved out a respectable place for himself within the program before health concerns forced him to step away from the sport he loved. His announcement in 2021 that he would medically retire from football marked what seemed to be the end of one chapter in his life, though few could have predicted the troubling turns that would follow.
The past few years have brought significant challenges for McCullough beyond this latest incident. In 2024, he was involved in a serious automobile accident that resulted in the loss of his right eye—a traumatic experience by any measure. While details about his recovery from that accident remain limited, such a life-altering injury undoubtedly required substantial physical and emotional adjustment. However, personal difficulties, regardless of their severity, do not excuse violent behavior, and McCullough now finds himself facing not only the continuing aftermath of his accident but also the serious legal consequences of his alleged actions. The charge of strangulation is particularly severe, reflecting law enforcement’s understanding of how dangerous such assaults can be and their strong correlation with lethal domestic violence incidents.
The allegations against McCullough include not only physical assault but also property damage, as he reportedly broke his girlfriend’s cellphone during the incident. This detail, while seemingly secondary to the physical violence described, reflects a troubling pattern often seen in domestic abuse cases where perpetrators attempt to isolate victims by destroying means of communication. Domestic violence experts recognize such behavior as a common control tactic that can prevent victims from calling for help or documenting abuse. While Ohio State University has not yet issued an official response to requests for comment regarding their former player’s arrest, the institution will likely face questions about their past relationship with McCullough and any warning signs that might have been present during his time with the program.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of increased awareness and concern about domestic violence among athletes at all levels. Sports organizations across the country have implemented various programs aimed at preventing such behavior, including educational initiatives and more stringent policies regarding personal conduct. Despite these efforts, cases like McCullough’s continue to emerge, raising questions about the effectiveness of current approaches and what more might be done to address the underlying issues. For victims’ advocates, each new case underscores the importance of continuing to raise awareness about domestic violence, supporting survivors, and ensuring that perpetrators face appropriate consequences regardless of their public profile or past achievements.
As McCullough’s case moves through the legal system, many questions remain unanswered about the circumstances leading up to the alleged assault and what the future holds for the former athlete. What is clear, however, is that his life has taken a dramatically different path than what might have been envisioned when he first joined the Buckeyes as a hopeful walk-on player. The consequences of his actions, if proven in court, will likely extend far beyond whatever legal penalties he may face, potentially affecting his personal relationships, future employment opportunities, and overall standing in the community for years to come. Meanwhile, his alleged victim faces her own challenging journey of recovery from what court documents describe as a traumatic and frightening experience—a reminder of the very real human impact that lies at the heart of every domestic violence case, regardless of the perpetrator’s background or previous accomplishments.
