This past weekend at the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected a 6'2", 230-lb SS from Perryton, Texas with their final pick. Historically, few significant stories come from the 218th overall draft pick, but if you are familiar with college football (or were unable to escape ESPN's blanket coverage of the story), you probably know that the pick was used on Caleb Campbell.
Caleb Campbell played at Army and if undrafted, he was destined for a tour in Iraq after graduation. However, until recently, there wouldn't have even been an option for a Cadet. Per the NFL website:
"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.'"
There are a couple interesting ways to looks at this, one obvious and one not so obvious:
- If he isn't cut, Campbell will be the only Army graduate on an NFL roster and will be able to fulfill his obligation to the military by working as an Army recruiter and then as a reserve; and
- Although most observers consider it a blessing that Campbell will not have to see combat overseas, the young man in question doesn't really see it the same way.
In an interview on draft day, Campbell was already discussing how he may resume his military career as soon as his football career is over.
"After I'm done with the NFL, after I'm done playing football, I'm still in the Army and I might want to pursue it. I did go to the Academy to be an officer, to have the opportunity to lead troops one day as a leader, so that opportunity is still appealing to me. So it's like a win-win situation for me. I have the opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream and play in the NFL, but who's to say after I'm done playing in the NFL that I can't fulfill another dream I had and the reason that I went to the Academy?"
Wow. It is strange to hear that from such a young guy. The Pat Tillman's and Caleb Campbell's are few and far between in the sports world, but they continue to have a positive effect on future generations. Campbell's story is somewhat unique to sports, but fortunately, his desire to serve his country is not. There are many other American soldiers and reservists making significant sacrifices on behalf of others, so I appreciate that Campbell's athletic success has helped bring some attention to that fact.
And one last thought, if Campbell isn't able to earn his way onto the Lions' roster, is anyone willing to make the impossible decision to cut the guy? If so, that person will no doubt become infamous in Detroit and beyond.
Baseball Jones ~~ Hustling since 1980
