Lions' Campbell must return to traditional military duties

[Simone]

Lions' Campbell must return to traditional military duties
 

DETROIT -- 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.

But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.

In a letter to Lions president Matt Millen dated Wednesday, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Liba wrote that Campbell has been ordered to give up professional football for "full-time traditional military duties."

Liba wrote that 2nd Lt. Campbell may ask to be released from his active duty obligations in May 2010.

Liba said Campbell was allowed to enter the draft "in good faith."


[Simone comments: That is just wrong, I would be pissed.

[Mike Bass]

I was just reading that Simmy and thinking the same thing that you just stated

[blitzfiftysix]

I'd like to hear what Arty's opinion of this is. 

My thoughts, he is doing the job that he volunteered to do.  I think if you asked him, he would probably say the same. I hope I'm not wrong about my assumption. 

I am confused about one thing though.  Living near and working in Annapolis, I became familiar with a talented Midshipmen name Kyle Eckel who is currently playing for the Patriots.  It appears as though the Navy allowed him to forgo his military obligations to pursue his NFL Career. 

[Mike Bass]

I am confused about one thing though.  Living near and working in Annapolis, I became familiar with a talented Midshipmen name Kyle Eckel who is currently playing for the Patriots.  It appears as though the Navy allowed him to forgo his military obligations to pursue his NFL Career. 

Blitz, I am pretty sure that during the draft when Campbell's story was being told that it was said that he was given the same privileges as Eckel seems to have be given.

If it was just not fullfilling his duties I'd agree but if  the problem is that the military is renigging, I think that they are do Campbell a grave injustice because ,long term his career seems to be in the NFL.

[Mike Bass]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8377544/Army-earns-black-eye-for-Campbell-situation?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=5

G.I.

Government Issue.


And it is this covenant — between man and country — that is at the heart of the Caleb Campbell story and the Army's decision to rescind the Alternative Service Option it had extended to him. Campbell was still going to belong to the U.S. Army when the NFL kicked off in September. But if he made the Lions, he was going to be deployed as a football hero recruiter.

Unbeknownst to Campbell, the mission changed earlier this month.

The Army's reversal was made on July 8, but in true F.U.B.A.R. fashion, the military failed to alert Campbell to the change until the eve of his reporting to training camp with the Lions this week..........