Life and career
McCollum was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the son of Willie and Dorothy McCollum. He played high school football as a tackle at Louisville Male High School. He then enrolled at the University of Kentucky to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats. He was on the freshman team in 1970, and was a three-year varsity letterman from 1971 to 1973. In 1973, he was named "the most valuable player" by the university, and in 1974, he was named the All-Southeastern Conference football middle guard.
In February 1974, McCollum was selected by the Florida Blazers of the National Football League (NFL) in the 15th round of the 1974 NFL draft. He joined the Houston Oilers. He started one game for the team, and played in eleven games during the 1974 NFL season, but was released from the team in September 1975. He then joined the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played in one game during the 1975 CFL season. After his football career ended, he worked as a social worker at LaGrange, and was an assistant football coach at South Oldham High School in Crestwood, Kentucky. He was also a volunteer track coach at Eastern High School.
In 2000, McCollum was inducted into the Louisville Male High School Hall of Fame.
