Football Bond Turns Bloodline: Deland McCullough Learns Coach Is His Father

Deland McCullough, a former Miami (Ohio) football player, has a remarkable story to share. He developed a strong bond with his college running backs coach, Sherman Smith, whom he viewed as a father figure due to his own adoption at a young age. This close relationship fueled McCullough’s desire to uncover his birth origins.In a recent "Today" show interview, McCullough disclosed that, through adoption records, he learned his mother lived nearby his adoptive family. Upon visiting her, he inquired about his biological father, only to find out it was Smith, his mentor. As McCullough, now the Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach, shared, he often told his players, “I treat you like you’re my son.”Unbeknownst to McCullough, he was being mentored by his biological father, who embraced him with warmth upon learning the truth. A captivating tale, it has plans for both a book and a potential film, with Smith expressing interest in having Denzel Washington portray him.