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First and ten-hut!Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 2:50 PM
Caleb Campbell
Caleb Campbell was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the NFL Draft in April, and now must serve his "full-time military duties." Now I don't have a problem with the Army telling someone they must fulfill the commitment they subjected themselves to, but not in this manner. Campbell entered the NFL Combine and draft because, at the time, Army policy would have allowed him to serve as a recruiter if he made the team. However, a new Department of Defense policy has superseded it, essentially killing his dream of playing in the NFL. The thing is, in serving as a recruiter, he would have still been able to complete his military obligations by serving as a role model of sorts to young athletes who are interested in the military. The chances of making the NFL are low, so he could have been able to recruit a good number of individuals and create a larger number of members in the military. Yes, a seventh-round pick rarely makes the team, let alone, have a major impact. But to wait almost three months after he was drafted, and a week before he even has a chance to try to make the team, is a bit ridiculous. The letter stating Campbell must give up professional football was sent by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Liba, who said he was allowed to enter to draft "in good faith." If that is the case, I believe the Army should have lived up to its end. Campbell may ask to be released from his active-duty obligations in May 2010. If he is physically able to make another attempt that time, I will be rooting for Campbell to make an NFL roster and fulfill the dream that the Army has taken away. Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
Hot topics Big men moving on(2 ~ 3:31 PM, Jul 20)
Much more fun to come
Just get them back on the field
Just another foot in the mouth
Starting from scratch for a greater cause
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Two issues here: I must ask if the promise was made in writing. While I in support of the military as it insures our life style, like all other professions there are less than honest individuals within its system. Under a volunteer system, recruiters are under a lot of pressure to sign on their quota of recruits and I have learned via several young people right in this community, that one recruiter at least has falsified physical reports in order to fulfill his quota. Even some criminal record disqualifications are being waived due to the great need according to some military personnel. Quite disturbing to those assigned beside these who may not be able to be depended upon in a crisis situation. I will not go as far to say that a recruiter would promise anything to get one to sign on the dotted line, but as in all things, better to get all details of the agreement in writing to make sure that it is truly part of the legal agreement.
As to comparing physical fitness of a small woman to a male athlete going into war. Strength is used to carry the load, but brains are utilized to keep oneself and ones comrades alive and to carry out the mission. I have both male and female friends who are officers in the military. They are equally proficient in their duties and they got there because of their brains, not their brawn. I remember years ago when I started working as a food animal technician. It was thought that I could not do the work due to the patients being 2000 pound Brahma bulls...Let me tell you the difference between a 115 pound woman and a 200 pound man is nothing when dealing with a 2000 bull. It's the knowledge of the equipment used and training that allow one to accomplish the task.
If the military is truly at fault in this case, and there was a written agreement, it will come out as such and popular opinion will correct the situation. If it was just an oral promise by a recruiter, it will be a lesson learned by Mr. Campbell that the military draft supersedes the football draft. As it should. After all, football is a game; a short career at most. An artificial world. The military has a real need in the real world, whether we agree on its current assignments or not, but that's another topic for discussion altogether.
It is possible Ted Williams would have been remembered as the unquestioned greatest left-handed hitter in major league history. We will never know. He lost a player's best career years serving in World War II and then again in Korea. Way back then if a man made a deal he kept it, whatever the personal cost.
My self-appointed "god child" may be sent for her second tour of duty in Afganistan. She understood she must do her duty when the government paid for her college education. When did it become more acceptable to send a 90 pound girl into a combat zone than to send a healthy football player/Army officer?
Sorry, I cannot agree with you on this. Seventy-five percent of men of serving age are unqualified for military service due to lack of physical condition, lack of education, or due to criminal record. While serving as a recuiter is also serving, I do not think you realize how much time a recuiter puts in on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Who gets shorted, the team or the Army?
Convience of the Government, nuff said.