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The longest sustained cheers during the second day of the draft have come for safety Caleb Campbell, chosen in the seventh round (218th overall) by the Detroit Lions.
Campbell played his college ball at Army, and he’s the highest-selected player from Army since 1947.
In the past, athletes from West Point were required to serve five years of active duty in the military before they could begin their professional careers, but military rules have changed, and cadets with the ability to play sports professionally are now allowed to do so while helping out with recruiting efforts for two years.
“I’m serving my country in a different way, but I am serving my country,” Campbell said on ESPN shortly after the Lions selected him.
If Campbell sticks in the NFL through his two-year recruiting requirement, he can then buy out his remaining three-year commitment by agreeing to six years of reserve time.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
A good story. He will probably have an impact on special teams this year.
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Rating: 2.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I’m happy for him getting drafted, but as a 20 year military spouse I’m a little offended by ESPN as they appeared to be doing almost a telethon to get him into the NFL so he wouldn’t have to do his Army commitment and “go overseas.” It was a slap in the face to those of us who have had loved ones in harms way. Nothing against Campbell, though. This was all ESPN.
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Rating: 3.2 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Playing in the NFL isn’t serving your country. Ask our guys overseas and I bet they’d take on Urlacher head on than spend another day in Qatar.
Don’t rationalize why you don’t want to be in the army.
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Rating: 3.2 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Do the Lions count as an actual NFL team?
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Rating: 3.6 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
“If Campbell sticks in the NFL through his two-year recruiting requirement, he can then buy out his remaining three-year commitment by agreeing to SIX years of reserve time.”
That sucks. Live the NFL dream. The price: double your military obligation. I doubt Pat Tillman would approve.
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Rating: 2.3 / 5 with 7 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
“That sucks. Live the NFL dream. The price: double your military obligation. I doubt Pat Tillman would approve”
The other option is five plus years of active duty time. Thats a way bigger military committment (in terms of actual time spent on duty) than 6 years of Reserve time.
“Don’t rationalize why you don’t want to be in the Army”.
Obviously Campbell has no problem with the Army if he went to West Point, knowing full well his NFL chances were slim to none. He still has to make a roster or he’ll go back and serve his regular term of service.
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Rating: 3.85 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I totally agree, bondem777 and notkrisroe. When a kid signs on at a service academy, even as a sports star who can complete professionally, he should fulfill his (or her) two year commitment on real active duty. Not helping out with recruiting efforts on a part time basis during the season. And then being able to “buy out” the rest of their service obligation by agreeing to six years in the reserves is shameful.
I know this type of situation doesn’t happen often, but when you factor in the enormous cost of the free education these kids get, they should be forced to repay at least a portion of what would have been their tuition. I’ve heard estimates that the cost of one year in an academy runs between 80K-100K per student, all at taxpayer expense.
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April 27th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
For those of you who seem offended that a Cadet is getting a shot at the NFL instead of getting sent straight to Iraq, consider this:
1. As a reserve for SIX years, he will be activated at some point (probably more than once) for a tour in the “sandbox.”
2. Trust me, as one who has experienced it, recruiting duty sucks and may be more demanding than DI duty.
Then again, I’m sure Campbell will put up better recruiting numbers then I did a decade ago thanks to his notoriety (more of a shot at myself). Best of luck in Detroit Caleb.
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Rating: 4.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Not to mention the Army wouldn’t be doing this if they didn’t think having an NFL player do recruiting was more beneficial to them than what he would be doing on active duty.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Since “reserves” have been serving in Iraq since day one, this guy better be one hell of a football player or he’s going overseas.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
“And then being able to “buy out” the rest of their service obligation by agreeing to six years in the reserves is shameful”
Shameful? The military makes this trade off all the time with their people. People often fufill requirements by serving X number of years active duty or Y years Reserve (x<y). People are reading way too much into this. Reserve doesnt mean he’s not in the Army. Given that this is West Point’s first NFL draftee in 60 years, maybe we should just be happy for him and the Army.
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Rating: 4.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Making a commitment to West Point is not about playing in the NFL. He just got a 150000+ education, and he’s pretty much expected to serve the time he’s trained for. I’m an Army veteran, with multiple tours in Iraq, and I see no real application for Campbell as a recruiter. What will his response be when potential recruits ask him about military life? He won’t have an answer because he hasn’t lived it. I think he should have to stick to his military obligation because I don’t really believe in special treatment, which is exactly what this is. But hey, this is just one man’s opinion.
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April 27th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
so ESPN makes a big deal that this guy got out of serving in the army? the guy who leaves the NFL for IRAQ is the real hero, RIP Tillman.
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April 27th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Good story. I was hoping somebody would draft him and give him a chance to fulfill his dream playing football versus risking his life overseas.
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Rating: 4.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The military made this option available to Campbell. He just took it. The military made this decision to allow players to trade off their active duty committment as a way to attract qualified college players. Because, they decided that being able to compete decently in college ball was more important than ensuring future officers for the military. Blame the military for this thing, not Campbell.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I’m in the Army. If I had a shot to play in the NFL I would take it in a heartbeat.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Bottom line, there’s still a chance he will spend time in Iraq which is more than 98% of us can say. We’re all fortunate that these men and women put their lives on the line while Bush cuts their benefits.
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April 27th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I find this to nothing short of outrageous. It currently costs the American taxpayer $250,000 to send a kid through West Point. You’re telling me we’re paying $250,000 to train a RECRUITER???
The purpose of the military academies is to train professional military officers, not to serve as a taxpayer funded NFL farm team. Consider that this kid took the spot of another kid who wanted to be a military officer, not a football player.
I’ve written both Senators and my Representative to protest this idiotic policy.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 27th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
people are confused here. first pat went and died in afghanistan.
this kid obviously went to wp with the full intention of becoming an officer. you just dont happen to apply to wp, you need to work to achive that goal. i am sure when he got there he did not have any realistic goal of maling it pro because look at the history of army players making it. if he makes the team he gets the chance to play but he has to commit to working in recruiting at the same time. that is a big chance for kids to spend time with or listen to a nfl player who commited to the army. after 2 years he will have to do 6 years in the reserve (kevin greene was in the reserves if my memory is correct) as an officer. if some one who is a marine and hates the army can see this as a good thing for the army anyone can
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April 27th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
My major concern is with the vivacious and sustained applause he received, as well as thank you for his “service to the country.” Does everyone not realize he has done absolutely nothing for his country by simply attending West Point. We have done something for him, by financing a highly prestigious and entirely complimentary education. I’m not bashing the kid for his decision. It’s an easy one to make. But let’s not pretend like he has made sacrifices. Every single one of our over three million active and reserve men and women deserve the standing ovation first.
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April 28th, 2008 at 1:02 am
LiveNBreath Football, I disagree to an extent. In making their college sports a more competitive field, they can then attract more people to the Academy. Same with any other school. I don’t “blame” anyone for this, and think it’s fair for the Military to make their athletes available for the draft. It would be unfair to force a college all-star to put aside his dreams of a professional career if one was available to him.
I also think it was a classy act by the fans to applaud the draft pick by the Lions. It was a very good moment for ESPN, and the NFL.
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April 28th, 2008 at 1:17 am
are the Chiefs playinmg soccer this year??? because they sure can’t throw or catch!!!
this dude is gonna be a stud!!!
not to mention, on the team that’s gonna win 3 of the next 5 Super Bowls!!!
GO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 28th, 2008 at 3:02 am
from KCChiefsFan:
“Do the Lions count as an actual NFL Team?”
They beat the seven other teams this year, but since one of them was the Chiefs their strength of schedule is enough to get them relegated.
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April 28th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Millen’s son is at West Point. I’m sure this influenced the decision somehow.
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April 28th, 2008 at 8:49 am
@ notkrisroe
You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. I’m an active duty Marine with two tours in Iraq.
First off, the servicemen/women could careless that Campbell is allowed to opt out of his military obligation. The potential recruits he’ll bring in to West Point far outweighs any impact he would have by potential being deployed. Secondly, Qatar is a party at the beach compared to Iraq.
All of you people are making a much bigger issue of this than it is to the only people that matter in this isssue….the servicemen.
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