Anyone who watched the draft this past April (and I mean watched, not caught glimpses of the first round and then went back to their actual lives), remember the story of Caleb Campbell, the West Point grad who entered the NFL Draft and was selected in the 7th round by the Lions as few fans who remained chanted his name in support. When he entered the draft he was not getting out of serving for the military, he would've served his mandatory time as a recruiter and speaker while in Detroit, as long as he made the team.
Now, due to a change in Dept. of Defense policy, Campbell will not get fulfill one of his dreams of becoming an NFL player just yet. Here's the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3502211
DETROIT -- Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for the Detroit Lions because of a change in military policy.
"When I got drafted, I told people that I was going to have the best of both worlds," Campbell said. "I was going to be in the United States Army and I was going to have a chance to play professional football. Now, I have the best of one world and I'm very positive about that. It's all going to work out.
"I'm in great shape and I'm going to stay in great shape. I'm going to fulfil my duty to the United States Army and do what I've got to do. One day, hopefully I'll get another opportunty to play in the NFL."
Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick for the Lions in April. At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.
But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.
In a letter to Lions president Matt Millen dated Wednesday, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Liba wrote that Campbell has been ordered to give up professional football for "full-time traditional military duties."
The Lions will retain Campbell's rights until the 2009 draft. Unless another team drafts him at that point, Campbell would be considered a "street free agent" and free to sign with any team after completing his military obligations.
Liba wrote that 2nd Lt. Campbell may ask to be released from his active duty obligations in May 2010.
Liba said Campbell was allowed to enter the draft "in good faith."
I don't want to say he's getting this chance ripped away from him, but the obligation he has to this country is important in this time (no matter if you are pro- or anti-war).
Thoughts?
