Robert McCune
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | March 9, 1979 Mobile, Alabama | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Mobile (AL) LeFlore | ||||||||
| College: | Louisville | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2005 / round: 5 / pick: 154 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Robert McCune (born March 9, 1979) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.
McCune has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and the Calgary Stampeders.
Early years
McCune attended LeFlore High School in Mobile, Alabama, playing football for coach Ray Parker. He was a two-year letter-winner on the gridiron and four year letter-winner in track. He finished third at the state meet in the 100-meter dash and second in the 4x100-meter relay, and also won back-to-back state powerlifting titles as a junior and senior for LeFlore's Powerlifting Team
Military service
After high school, McCune served three years in the United States National Guard - a component of the United States Army - where he spent six months stationed in Korea and six months in Kuwait.
College career
After being redshirted at Louisville in 2000, McCune was named Special Teams Player of the Year in 2001 as a key member of the kick coverage units. He logged 14 tackles (nine solo) while playing in all thirteen games on special teams and as a reserve linebacker.
In 2002, McCune played in every game, taking over middle linebacker duties in the final two contests against Houston and Marshall when starter Rod Day was injured. McCune recorded 48 tackles (20 solos) with 1.5 stops for losses of 4 yards and a quarterback pressure on the year.
McCune earned third-team All-Conference USA honors in 2003. He started every game at middle linebacker, leading the team and ranked seventh in the conference with a career-high 143 tackles (83 solos). He had four sacks for -11 yards and five stops for losses of 12 yards. He intercepted a pass and deflected five others.
McCune was an All-Conference USA first-team selection after starting every game at middle linebacker as a senior in 2004. He led the team for the second-straight year with 115 tackles (57 solos), including two sacks for -16 yards and four stops for losses of 20 yards. He returned an interception seven yards and deflected four passes.
Following the season, McCune impressed professional scouts by making big hits and showing aggressive play during Senior Bowl week.
He graduated with a degree in education.
Professional career
Washington Redskins
McCune was originally drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He spent the majority of his rookie season on the Redskins' practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on November 6, 2005. He played in five games and two playoff games, logging seven special teams tackles. He made his professional debut in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and led the team in special teams tackles with three in a Week 10 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
McCune struggled during training camp with the Redskins in 2006, with then-linebackers coach Dale Lindsey saying his development was "not where we want it to be." McCune was once again waived prior to the regular season in 2006 and rejoined the Redskins' practice squad. He remained there until December 12, when he was signed to the active roster of the Miami Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins
In Miami, McCune replaced veteran linebacker Keith Newman, who was waived the following day. McCune was inactive for the final three games of the season.
McCune was waived by the Dolphins following the 2007 preseason.
Baltimore Ravens
On November 14, 2007, the Baltimore Ravens signed McCune to their practice squad. He was later promoted to the active roster, recording four tackles in two games.
On April 7, 2008 McCune was re-signed as an exclusive-rights free agent. He was released during final cuts on August 30. The Ravens re-signed McCune on November 11 only to release him on November 20. The Ravens re-signed McCune on December 31 when wide receiver Marcus Maxwell was placed on injured reserve.
He was non-tendered on March 14, 2009 and became a free agent.
Cleveland Browns
McCune signed with the Cleveland Browns on August 20, 2009. He was waived on August 31.
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League signed McCune on April 20, 2010. McCune was released on June 16, 2012.[1]
Toronto Argonauts
On June 21, 2012, McCune signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. McCune finished the 2012 CFL season recording 86 tackles, and 1 interception for 3 yards. McCune would go on to win the 100th Grey Cup championship with the Argonauts that year.
In 2013, McCune finished the 2013 CFL season as the Argonauts' team leader in tackles with 99, four of them as quarterback sacks. McCune was unable to play in the playoffs due to an injury.
Healthcare fraud case
McCune was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, nine counts of wire fraud, and nine counts of health care fraud by the United States Department of Justice on December 12, 2019.[2] He pleaded not guilty to the charges on January 2, 2020.[3]
References
- ^ Odland, Kristen (June 16, 2012). "Stamps release veteran linebacker McCune". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012.
- ^ "Ten Former NFL Players Charged in Alleged Nationwide Fraud on Health Care Benefit Program for Retired NFL Players". www.justice.gov. December 12, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ Sullivan, Tim (January 4, 2020). "Former Louisville football captain Robert McCune pleads not guilty in NFL fraud case". Courier-Journal.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
External links
- 1979 births
- Living people
- American football linebackers
- Baltimore Ravens players
- Calgary Stampeders players
- Cleveland Browns players
- Grey Cup champions
- Louisville Cardinals football players
- Miami Dolphins players
- Sportspeople from Mobile, Alabama
- Players of American football from Alabama
- Washington Redskins players
- Canadian football linebackers
- American players of Canadian football