U.S. Army says Caleb Campbell can't play for Lions till 2010

[spodog]

Army orders Lions draft pick Campbell to withdraw

Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for the Detroit Lions because of a change in military policy.

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.

more . . http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aoxe9QX339xiq18Wkcwz5sodsLYF?slug=ap-lions-campbellarmy&prov=ap&type=lgns

This is really too bad. What a moral booster it would have been for the forces serving in Iraq and Afgh. if this kid could have actually made the Lions' squad this year.

Unfortunately, all too typical bungling on the part of the Army. Couldn't they have made this decision in March ?

[deerayfan072]

Apparently the other Armed Forces complained about it because it gave the Army a recruiting edge in the future

[Amazinz]

There were taxpayers complaining too. These cadets make a commitment and receive a free education. That education costs us somewhere in the neighborhood of $300K.

[deerayfan072]

There were taxpayers complaining too. These cadets make a commitment and receive a free education. That education costs us somewhere in the neighborhood of $300K.

and he was still able to fulfill that commitment as a recruiter. He was still going to give his time and fulfill a duty for the army, he just wasn't going to go fight in Iraq or Afgahn

[Amazinz]

There were taxpayers complaining too. These cadets make a commitment and receive a free education. That education costs us somewhere in the neighborhood of $300K.

and he was still able to fulfill that commitment as a recruiter. He was still going to give his time and fulfill a duty for the army, he just wasn't going to go fight in Iraq or Afgahn

It doesn't cost the U.S. taxpayer $300K to train a recruiter. It cost a U.S. taxpayer $300K to prepare an officer in this manner and he could not fulfill that playing football. This isn't really about Campbell. He just happens to be the bud that was nipped. Bottom line is if he wanted to pursue football, he should have.

[ROYALWITCHEESE]

It's the right decision. He shouldn't be above fulfilling the commitment he made to his country, just because he plays football.

[aaawall91]

I don't know, if this is the same kid ESPN spotlighted during the draft than I think there were a lot of good reasons for him to go to the NFL, which does mean he is "above serving his country" because I'm sure it's not the case.

[LS2throwed]

Why didn't they come to the decision that he shouldn't or couldn't play in the NFL before the draft, because I'm sure they had a chance to rule on it then...Seems like a little bad timing, although its not even close when you look at whats really important, I'm just wondering why this ruling couldn't of been handed down months ago well before the draft process.

[buffalobillsrul2002]

I think that in this particular case, the Army should've let Caleb play football, because he would serve a greater purpose by boosting the morale of the troops than he would by actually being there himself. Big problem with this is that if the Army did this, they would have to evaluate this type of situation on a case-by-case basis. I'm really not against the Army's decision, nor am I in favor of it.... I think it took the Army a while to actually make this decision, as it was a rather important decision...

[moochman]

Why didn't they come to the decision that he shouldn't or couldn't play in the NFL before the draft, because I'm sure they had a chance to rule on it then...Seems like a little bad timing, although its not even close when you look at whats really important, I'm just wondering why this ruling couldn't of been handed down months ago well before the draft process.

The Army had plenty of time to think this through, yet proved short-sighted. Caleb should have never of been offered the possibility. Than if he wanted to try football he need not have ever enrolled.

“It’s unfortunate, but it doesn’t mean Caleb Campbell’s dream is dead. It just means it will be delayed,” Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb told The Associated Press. “We want to take care of soldiers and dashing their hopes is not what we intend. But it is what it is.”

Spokesperson should never speak on what they do not know. His dream is dead. Quickly, name me any 7th round pick who returned to play in the league? If they don't want to dash dreams than they shouldn't dangle that carrot.

Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter ruled last month that Mitch Harris must serve a five-year active duty commitment. Harris, a 22-year-old pitcher with a 95-mph fastball, was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round in this year’s draft.

Harris acknowledged being surprised by the ruling because Campbell was being allowed to pursue football while completing his military service as a recruiter and in the reserves.

“Army has redefined the Alternative Service Option to include playing professional sports,” Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk has said. “Our coaches are now operating under a significant handicap when recruiting head-to-head with Army. It may not be reflected on the playing field today, but I can guarantee you that it will result in a competitive disadvantage down the road.”

And the real reason for it-ye ole Army/Navy rivalry. The Navy felt it gave the Army an edge in recruiting so they destroyed this poor young man's dreams. Okay a bit dramatic. Wonder if Navy Secretary Winter hadn't have whined if this would have happened?

And there is no truth to the rumor that Caleb asked to serve his term once he found out what being a Lion was.