This disappoints me

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DETROIT (AP) -- 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But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.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."

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sickening

He must be a wide receiver is Matt Millen drafted him.

Gotta fulfill your obligations. When orders come down, you follow them.

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I, Caleb Campbell, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

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Some senior officers are dicks, but you have to do what they say (pretty much). Remember we are at WAR here folks... real war. What is the NFL compared to that?

I think the situation is unfortunate, but aren't the rest of his teammates going on to active duty? I mean they go to school to become military officers. It's awesome that this guy made it to the NFL, but his first obligation was to his country right?

"It takes a big man to admit he's wrong. I am not a big man."

I didn't really want to go to Iraq and leave my Job, my Wife, my Family, my Friends, my House, my cushy life, etc behind. But I took an oath, and when I was ordered overseas I went. How is he any different from me or any other Soldier, Marine, Airman, or Sailor that serves?

Gotta agree with Strongbad. I didn't particularly want to go to Afghanistan but went anyways. If some West Point grad got offered his "dream job" and it didn't have anything to do with professional sports, there wouldn't even be a question. Waiting didn't hurt Staubach.

I agree, StrongBad. He could be a great recruiter though...

what a bummer...

All depends on what message Army wants to send. Do they want to send a message that you can come to Army, play ball, and still have some shot at the pros? Or do they want to send a message that ball comes second regardless and your here to serve your country? I would seem to think the second makes more sense, but they have to understand that invariably this leads to lower quality football recruits (possibly even lower than prior to this action).

Well.. you go to West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Acedemy to become serving officers in the miltary, not pro sports players. While some have gotten away with the nonsense of "But I'd be such a wasted talent if I go into the miltary," (former San Antonio Spurs Center Robinson comes to mind), we the tax payers pay ~ 1 million dollars to educate these young men and woman. Be a man... and a good citizen and stop crying... please!

BTHO everyone and let God sort them out

MaxPower, I believe the armed forces schools decided a long time ago that the message they wanted to send was country first, sport of choice second, hence the reason they haven't been any good in a long time. I think its great for the kid that he had a chance at the NFL, but he knew darn well what he was getting himself into when he signed up. This sounds just like the people who complain about the guys who get sent to Iraq/Afghanistan. Its tragic that they have to go there and get shot at, and risk their lives, but last time I checked military service was totally voluntary.

Roger Staubach served his hitch before playing for the Cowboys.

"A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish."

David Robinson served his four years in the navy after becomming the #1 NBA draft pick.

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While some have gotten away with the nonsense of "But I'd be such a wasted talent if I go into the miltary," (former San Antonio Spurs Center Robinson comes to mind)

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Uh, Robinson served his duty as well genius

He did 2 years btw, just like Campbell and any other guy would have to

[This message has been edited by Syd_X_Barrett (edited 7/23/2008 5:13p).]

I could see a peacetime policy of letting service academy athletes enter the pros IF they paid back the taxpayers for their free educations from their NFL/NBA pay.

However, in wartime, they should suck it up and serve. There are alot more important things than entertaining sports fans a few times a year.

And thus kills every single service academy sports program's recruiting.

I stand by the fact that obligations are obligations. Its just the way it is.

bleedmaroondadfailed.

Staubach didn't play in today's NFL.

Honestly, how many guys who go to service Academies get a chance to play in the NFL? ONE every so many years? He's never going to have another shot at it. This is NFL football. By the time he gets back, his shot will probably be long gone.

I don't see a reason not to let the guy be a recruiter. If this were a common problem, it would be one thing, but this is probably Army's first draft pick in a while. Or any of the service Academy's draft picks in a while for that matter.

For a Colonel to write a letter to the Lions AFTER he was drafted, and to change previously written Army policy for a single guy is a bunch of bullcrap.

Also, Robinson grew past the maximum height requirements while in college. Blasting him is foolish, since he was physically incapable of serving active duty in the Navy. 7 footers and cramped ships don't go together.

[This message has been edited by sshm (edited 7/23/2008 5:24p).]

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Honestly, how many guys who go to service Academies get a chance to play in the NFL? ONE every so many years? He's never going to have another shot at it. This is NFL football. By the time he gets back, his shot will probably be long gone.

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you can't be serious.

[This message has been edited by WarChief (edited 4/4/2014 8:36p).]

If he's good enough to play now & he stays in shape, he should be fine in 2 years.

Chad Hennings is another example of a service academy guy that did his duty just like Staubach AND Robinson (sorry, that's still hilarious that someone, especially someone who should be well old enough to remember, could say that about him.)

Unfortunate, but the young man made a commitment to serve his country in exchange for an absolutely top flight education and military training.

The NFL probably wasn't even on his radar until 6 months ago.

Having heard this kid interviewed several times, there's no question at all in my mind that he'll go readily and serve honorably.

Just one second here. Who needs a lesson in honoring obligations:

"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.

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

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Was the Army honorable in allowing the Lions to spend a draft pick and then make them lose it by renigging?

I don't think so!! This ruling does not relect well in that the Army applied it retroactively, thus screwing the Lions who chose him in good faith.

Sorry but that was not honorable in any way.

This change should have been made before the draft.

[This message has been edited by WarChief (edited 4/4/2014 8:36p).]

Millen would have farted away that pick anyway.

Then DOD is not being honorable. Whomever it is needs an ethics course.

[This message has been edited by Ishmael-Ag (edited 7/23/2008 5:37p).]

Oh, and there are currently 3 guys in the NFL right now that played at a service academy, did their 2 years and made a team.

Bryce Fisher
Kyle Eckel
Mike Wahle

So, quit with the "they are ruining his opportunity" crap

People who go to the service academies are a different breed. They sacrifice a normal life to defend our country, and they know it. He also received one of the top educations in the world for free.

Yea, it sucks that he's being called to active duty, but he blatantly said during his pre-draft interview that if he was called upon he would proudly go serve his country.

He's not *****ing about it, neither should we.

I guess people forget about all the already professional athletes called up to serve in WWII. This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Do some of you people just love to hate everything the government does. They do everything to make this a country where idiots like some of the posters around here have the right/privilege/ability to get on a public website and say whatever they want about anything, anybody, anytime. None of that is possibel without the dedication, and sacrifice, of people just like this kid who signed up for a VOLUNTARY academy.

that's a bummer.