Politics As Usual
Shining a Light on Power and Policy
Tom Shine covers congressional politics for ABC News.
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The Army Calls A Reverse And Orders Football Star Caleb Campbell To Serve
July 24, 2008 9:53 AM
According to the DETROIT NEWS, West Point graduate Caleb Campbell had just agreed to a THREE-YEAR contract with the DETROIT LIONS and was scheduled to report for his first NFL training camp TODAY. But late yesterday the UNITED STATES ARMY changed all of that and ordered the former defensive star with the ARMY'S BLACK KNIGHTS to report for active duty IMMEDIATELY.
Last April, Campbell was selected by the Lions using their 218th overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Detroit News says the team planned to use him as a linebacker under the Army's "alternative service option" which would have allowed the football star to play professionally for two years and be an army recruiter as well.
The DETROIT FREE PRESS says the Army's letter to Lions President Matt Millen yesterday said a subsequent Defense department policy had superseded the Army's position and added "CAMPBELL HAS BEEN DIRECTED TO CEASE FULL-TIME PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TO PERFORM FULL-TIME TRADITIONAL MILITARY DUTIES."
Caleb Campbell was not talking, but his father was. Gregg Campbell told the Detroit News, "HE'S STILL IN SHOCK...IF THE ARMY INTENDED ON REVERSING THE POLICY, WHY DID THEY WAIT RIGHT BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF TRAINING CAMP?"
July 24, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (7)
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Having been a Detroit Lion fan since 1957 all I can say is you are probably lucky Caleb Campbell.
Posted by: Jim | Jul 24, 2008 10:11:54 AM
why on earth is there an alternative service plan for anything except a family tragedy?
Posted by: trettione | Jul 24, 2008 10:23:37 AM
I am sorry about this, it is probably his dream, but he has a duty to do, it is what he signed up for.
Posted by: becky | Jul 24, 2008 10:45:18 AM
Why should this guy get preferential treatment because he can throw a football. He took the benefits of the military by enrolling in West Point and now that it will benefit him more by going to pro football, the military is supposed to let him go? Thank god that someone has some sense. Make him fulfill his committment.
Posted by: Tom | Jul 24, 2008 10:47:29 AM
tom, linebackers don't throw footballs
Posted by: Jim | Jul 24, 2008 10:57:51 AM
About time the Army did something right. When Campbell was selected to get a "free" 4 year college education, paid for by our tax dollars, he agreed to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army upon graduation.The Army needs officers in the field to fight terrorism, not on the field to fight against another team for big bucks. If this guy wants out of being an officer in the U.S.Army, let him write a big check to Uncle Sam to pay back "all" the money the tax payers,paid out and when that happens he can resign his commission.
Posted by: Bronco Bill | Jul 24, 2008 11:30:23 AM
what's the point of making him sign a contract to be a recruit if you're going to change your mind? This is messed up!
Posted by: MM | Jul 24, 2008 11:59:40 AM
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