Adrian McPherson

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Adrian Jamal (A.D.) McPherson (born May 8, 1983 in Bradenton, Florida, USA) is an American football quarterback formerly of the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He was selected with the 16th pick of the fifth round (152nd overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Florida State University although he had not attended the school in over two years.

A former Florida Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football (the first athlete to have both honors in Florida history) as a student at Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida, McPherson began his career at Florida St. playing quarterback on the football team and point guard on the basketball team.

McPherson was tried on allegations that he bet on pro and college football games in the spring of 2003. During the trial McPherson's lawyer attacked the University and legendary head coach Bobby Bowden. After a hung jury failed to convict McPherson, he tried to enroll at Tennessee State but when it became clear the NCAA wasn't going to allow him to play collegiate sports, he chose to turn pro and sign with the Indiana Firebirds of the AFL, where he threw 61 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions, and ran for 19 touchdowns. 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 has matured. McPherson was denied an opportunity to compete in FSU's annual spring NFL proday for obvious reasons. Later that spring McPherson was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 5th 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 September 2, 2006, McPherson was released by the New Orleans Saints.

Before McPherson signed with the Saints following the 2005 NFL Draft, he was acquired by the Utah Blaze in their 2005 expansion draft. The move was widely considered to be a gamble, considering what his unknown status before the NFL's 2005 Draft. Following the draft, McPherson was placed on the "other-league exempt list" until further notice. Finally on November 9, 2006, McPherson was activated to the league and a week later traded to the Austin Wranglers in exchange for future considerations. This January he will compete with incumbent starting quarterback John Fitzgerald, along with several other unknown free agent quarterbacks for the starting job.