Deadspin
Safety Caleb Campbell was the first nonkicker from Army ever invited to take part in the NFL combine. If he didn't get drafted, he would probably be serving as a second lieutenant in Iraq or Afghanistan by year's end. But Campbell was drafted in the 7th round. By the Detroit Lions. Bit of a Pyrrhic victory, no?
All kidding aside, it's an interesting situation and one that possible only to a recent policy change.
In years past, military athletes had little hope of playing professional football due to their commitment to the service upon graduation. Army recently revised those requirements, leaving the door open for Campbell and other Cadets to pursue their dream of playing in the National Football League.What Army has done is offer its top athletes a side door to professional sports. West Point has implemented an alternative service option program that allows cadets to turn pro — and play — right away. Cadets accepted into the program "will owe two years of active service in the Army, during which time they will be allowed to play their sport in the player-development systems of their respective organizations and be assigned to recruiting stations. If they remain in professional sports following those two years, they will be provided the option of buying out the remaining three years of their active-duty commitment in exchange for six years of reserve time."
At least with the Lions there won't be any doubts about the chances of victory.
Comments
But there will be suicide bombings.
Maybe he can supply Matt Millen with effective weapon to shoot himself in the head.
Imma gonna feed nibbles to my pet snake.
...during which time they will be allowed to play their sport in the player-development systems of their respective organizations...
Joke's on you, suckas! Detroit has never developed any players.
@Lupicas!XofullofBile: *an fuckface.
Breaking News: Caleb Campbell has just requested a transfer to Fallujah.
And all this time I thought they waived service if athletes had a chance to do this. I thought Chad Hennings and David Robinson played right away. I was a very unobservant toddler, I guess.
Wait, this is DUAN? Oookay.
He also gets one of those bulletproof Humvees so he can safely drive to Ford Field on game day.
Do these academies offer side-doors into any other civilian professions? Because, really, government? Really?
@Le Kangourou de Kataroo: I be writing about this right now...will link to myself later.
What? It's DUAN.
@Le Kangourou de Kataroo: The idea is public relations. Or something.
There's less gunfire in Iraq.
@Chief Wahoo: That was quite the pitcher's duel today.
A preview of Caleb's pre-game motivational speech:
"Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear. And when I do, it's usually something exotic."
A dude from USAFA went to the Cowboys and then became an A-10 pilot during the first Gulf War. Straight-up badass.
@Le Kangourou de Kataroo: They can send us to grad-school, but I think that's about it. There's a special thing for "world-class" athletes...my friend's job is currently being a world-class pole vaulter. Good work if you can get it! Greg Poppovich (Spurs' coach) graduated USAFA and played basketball for his job...so I think it's just sports.
/throws one back for my service academy brosef
@Le Kangourou de Kataroo: Hola chica, como esta?
Also, Detroit or Iraq? That's actually a pretty tough choice.
@Doyle McPoyle: Someone other than Chad Hennings?
There's still people who are not getting paid to talk on tv at the draft?
I quote Ferris Bueller: "You're still here? It's over. Go home. Go. Go."
Also, Marty Moore had a nice career as Mr. Irrelevant. Won a ring in 2001.
yall have a good one.
Congrats David Vobora...you are Mr. Irrelevant. Now, please shut off the lights before you leave.
@amorphous: Robinson and Staubach? Well, they all served their commitments first and then went pro, so I'm not really sure. I don't really care, though, since the IC's at the Academy, especially football, tended to be the biggest fucksticks ever.
@amorphous: No, it was Chad Hennings.
@Doyle McPoyle: Please pardon my ignorance, but what's an IC?
@J-No: Intercollegiate Athlete. I take it back though...the IC Rugby and Hockey teams were always hilarious.
Phallic Victory > Pyrrhic Victory
@Doyle McPoyle: Thanks. I had no idea what you were talking about.
@amorphous: I think David only had to serve 2 years between when he got drafted and when he actually started for the Spurs.
The craziest thing about big Dave is that he grew from 6'4" to 7'1" during his time at the Naval Academy. That's gotta hurt.
Just came back from the Indians game. The highlight was two Yankees fans getting kicked out for a BJ incident. At least security waited until they were done...
Part of the Admiral's circumstance is that 7-1 is just too tall to serve in the Navy. The inside of ships require ducking for average sized people. He did two years and then was reserve afterward, I believe.
Who's been "updating" DeShawn Stevenson's Wikipedia page?
Just his luck. Detroit all has a Green Zone.
@Doyle McPoyle: @suntastic: Wikipedia says Robinson served 2 years, Hennings served 4 years (and served in Desert Storm), Staubach was drafted in '64 and didn't play until '69.
Glenn Davis served 3 before going pro and Doc Blanchard never played pro apparently.
Other than the WWII/Korean War enlistments, am I missing anyone?
@stealofthedraft: BJ Upton was at the game?
@Greg Brady: Nobody apparently, 'cause I don't see anything on there about him being a punk bitch.
@The Fan's Attic: Lock the door.
/Chuck Noblet
@stealofthedraft:
I wouldn't classify Suzyn Waldman and Roger Clemens as Yankee fans. More like employees.
@amorphous:
Napoleon McCallum.
@suntastic: i dont know about wikipedia but when i was at the academy robinson graduated too tall to serve in any position (i think the tallest you can be, even for a SWO was 6'6") so the navy couldnt really do anything with him, the ships, subs and planes are too small and he couldn't go restricted line. either way, god bless the admiral
@She Blinded Me With Violence: That's a punk ass bitch, mister.
@UkraineNotWeak: That means they were paid for it and you know what that makes them? WHORES!
@stealofthedraft: Which guy was on top?
@Token_Tennis_Fan: CC is back, baby! Unfortunately, so was Wang.
@UkraineNotWeak: Thanks. Possibly the worst mental image I will ever have.
@Dr. Michael Mancini: i should probably read the entire thread before i open my cakehole
For no reason:
[www.daysofleisure.com]
@She Blinded Me With Violence:
She's been verbally felating him for years. It's about time she moved on to the actual act.
@J-No:
They prefer Professional Sex Surrogate, thank you.
@UkraineNotWeak:Well, aren't you all nice and polite about it.
@J-No:
Trying to take the high road in my later years.
Good evening all...
Is anyone else watching the WWE PPV tonight?
[/dorkiest DUAN intro ever?]
@UkraineNotWeak: Napoleon McCallum: Played in '86 while splitting time with the Navy (what the... how?). Returned and played '90 to '94. CFB HoF. Computer Science major.
GROSS career ending injury. Dan Dierdorf insists you don't watch.
+ Watch video
Ken Norton broke Bryant Young's leg, too. What a dick.
@Token_Tennis_Fan: That novel was the most.
Hey, look, one more Detroit is a war zone joke, and we get a set of steak knives.
Say what you will about Iraq, but at least they know that they were being run by a brutal and corrupt regime. Perhaps Caleb Campbell will be greatest as a liberator, though I doubt it.
Ginsburg and Scalia, the best of friends!!! Who knew?!!
I can't decide which boss is worse: Dubya or Matt Millen.
And I can't wait for Reggie Evans to get into the game.
//wishes he had more money so he could buy a Reggie Evans jersey
@algiers4: No problem, it sounds like you're more informed than I am. I did not know that 6-6 is the limit.
Hey Kids,
Just came on here to say:
JUSTICE SCALIA IS A FUCKING ASSHOLE CUNT.
That's all for me, enjoy Dog's Eye View!