Posted on 07/24/2008 10:55:52 AM PDT by Perdogg
Today's Morning Coffee comes from Army and sadly, isn't good news. ESPN.com ran a story Wednesday evening stating that former Army linebacker Caleb Campbell will not be allowed to play in the NFL.
It was covered on the NFL side, but I wanted to make sure any Army fans, and fans of college football, saw the result of this ongoing story.
Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in April and was told that if he was drafted he could serve the Army as a recruiter. But Army policy has changed, and Campbell has been called to active duty.
(Excerpt) Read more at myespn.go.com ...
In case he didnt notice....there is a war on.
Every year, because of my business, I run into high school seniors who are considering Norwich, the Citadel, West Point, and the like.
I ask them if they realize what it means to make sure a military commitment during a war. I am an old guy, and several of my friends are still in—and going on their second and third trips back to the ME and Afghanistan.
Most of these guys make tons of money in high level positions in the private sector. When they get activated, they go. Leaving a lot more behind than a job.
To this guy, I say tough luck. You stood on the plain and raised your hand. Suck it up.
I think the Army is being short sighted on this one. Allowing him to serve as originally proposed (Recruiting duty) would have helped bring in more troops. But then again, they are hitting their numbers so it may not be that much of a value to the Army.
Part of growing up is learning to honor the commitments you make. I doubt he’ll complain much, but ESPN sure will.
Check around and you'll find that Campbell has already said he'll be reporting as ordered - no complaints, no whining, no attempts at trying to get out of it. He wouldn't have gone into the draft at all if the Army hadn't told him and the NFL one thing, only to change it to something else several months later. You want to bad-mouth someone, bad-mouth the jokers in charge of the Army.
Read the article. It’s not Campbell that crying!
“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 fulfill my duty to the United States Army and do what I’ve got to do. One day, hopefully I’ll get another opportunity to play in the NFL.”
He’s not complaining.
“I was initially shocked, but you know when duty calls,” Campbell said. “I can’t do much about it. I’m being optimistic about everything, taking it with a smile, having a good attitude about it, disappointed that I didn’t get my one shot, but that’s OK because when I went to the academy I initially went to the academy to be an officer.”
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j-Udr8HR3tcrbk8bbnbGhNHvqQeQD924B06G0
“WAAAAHHHHH!” Oh, spare me! When you sign up you sign up for the needs of the service, my dear. Now stop crying and fall in!
He sounds like a good guy. Guys like this make me proud.
“Campbell will not be allowed to play in the NFL.”
Gimme an effin’ break! Who paid for his education? To what did he swear allegiance when he raised his hand? And who says he can’t play when his service obligation is up? AND WHO GUARANTEED HIM A FRIGGIN’ FOOTBALL CONTRACT WHEN HE ACCEPTED HIS SPOT AT THE ACADEMY?
I have inadvertently (with acknowledgement to CS Lewis) turned myself into a large centipede. Back later.
Colonel, USAFR
might want to cook some crow for dinner.
eh, who gives a sh%t what ESPCN says anyway. To Campbell: you’re in the Army now, deal with it.
And, BTW, my rant was at the boobs at ESPN, not at this fine future officer. He’s saying and doing just what I’d expect a military academy graduate to say and do. Good on him.
Colonel, USAFR
Try reading the article before commenting.
My apologies. My answer was meant to be more general than specific.
I understand he was doing what he was told. I just get pissed at all of these people that don’t get it.
he IS dealing with it, and quite nicely. It’s the football world that has a problem with it.
No need to say that. He is not complaining about it. He said he is going to do his duty and then when he is done he will come back and try to make it in the NFL. He doesn't see it as "tough luck" or something that he has to "suck it up" to take care of his duty.
Who the hell is crying? Did you read the article? OR did you even read enough of an excerpt of the article to see the guy's quotes? He is not crying or even complaining.
Freeping works better (and makes you look less foolish) when you read the attached article BEFORE commenting.
Just a thought.
Remember Napoleon McCallum(?) from the Naval Academy? ‘Bout 1981 or so. Great player. He wanted to play in the NFL and requested that his active duty be put off for several years so he could play. Lots of people wanted to see him play. SecNav said ‘no’ and that was that, as it should be.
He said that although his dream was to be a NFL player, his duty was to the USA, and that he had no problem being deployed (although I am sure he secretly hoped it wouldn't happen, he is human after all).
Wait a minute....this guy attends West Point and then expects to be deployed as a recruiter???? Talk about chutzpah.
“...this guy attends West Point and then expects to be deployed as a recruiter???? Talk about chutzpah.”
Why are so many people jumping on this soldier. He didn’t ask to be a recruiter and play in the NFL. The Army thought it would be good for recruiting. They interpreted DOD policy to mean they could do this. The Army...not Lt. Campbell. The Navy and Air Force apparently complained. The Army revised their policy to reflect DOD policy.
http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-nfl/20080724/Lions-Campbell.Army/
The only thing “sad” about this is that Army has lost an NFL caliber running back.
Sad for Army, that is.
Go Navy! Beat Army! (For the seventh straight time)
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