The life of an offensive lineman isn’t one of glamour and glitz. They work in the trenches doing the dirty work and unlike their defensive counterparts, the O-linemen don’t have the stats such as sacks, forced fumbles and tackles to prove their worth.

Instead, if the offensive line performs well, most of the talk is about how effectively the quarterback spread the field or the how the running back hit the holes — there’s little mention of the eternity that the quarterback had to survey the entire field or the fact that the holes were big enough to drive a semi-truck through them.

The O-lineman are the unsung heroes, and for G Andy McCollum that’s just fine. He doesn’t necessarily like the limelight.

But for those that truly know the game of football, they know that the game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and McCollum is an integral part of that. And whether it’s blocking the way for NFL MVP’s Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner or serving as the chairperson of the annual Bowl-a-RAM-a to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation…you can count on #67 to get it done.

In this week’s “The Player and Beyond with Andy McCollum”, read about his off-the-field activities, where he likes to get a big steak and who he models his game after.

Do you hang out with your teammates off the field? If so, who?
-Scott, Gary, Indiana

Yeah, we hang out a lot off the field. Our families are friends, our kids are friends and we get together and do barbeques. Even during the season, the offensive line has dinner at least once a week together.

How did you become involved with Downs Syndrome?
-Carol, Ballwin, MO

My wife has a good friend who has a child with Downs; actually she is the boys’ godmother. So, she was really interested in it and she got me involved and I thought it was a great cause.

What has been your most rewarding off the field experience?
-Becky, Wentzville, MO

Raising my kids (ages one and five).

Is there an offensive lineman that you model your game after?
-Tim, Toledo, OH

I don’t think there is necessarily one particular guy, but I look at a lot of film and at guys who have played before as well as guys who are successful now, and try to pick up on little techniques that they use that seem to work. You’re always open to trying new things in order to get the job done.

What is your favorite restaurant in St. Louis?
-Jolene, St. Charles, MO

I like Morton’s…anywhere I can get a big steak.

How did you become interested in bowling?
-Ashley, Florissant, MO

I actually don’t do it all that often, but during the offseason I will occasionally take the kids bowling. And, I do the Bowl-a-RAM-a each year, which is a lot of fun and raises money for a great cause.