Soldier's Home : A West Point Cadet Opts for the NFL

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A West Point Cadet Opts for the NFL

David Botti

There's been some pointed discussions lately over the future of West Point cadet Caleb Campbell, who was a seventh round NFL draft pick of the Detroit Lions late last month. While many of his classmates may be deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in the future, Campbell will (if he makes the roster) do recruiting and PR events for the Army during the offseason. The Army's point of view is that Campbell can use his NFL status in a unique way to help the service. The New York Times provides the Army's official policy:

Any member of the Army with an exceptional skill who could provide recruiting and public affairs benefits to the Army could be assigned to the nearest recruiting unit for their two-year active-duty period. Those approved can participate in their professional activity — in Campbell’s case, pro football — as long as it does not interfere with military duties. Then they can apply for early release from active duty.

Campbell also described to the Times how he came to the decision to pursue football:

“I had a talk with myself,” he said on the conference call. “Either way I could win. I decided if football presented an opportunity to play in the NFL, I would take it. Me, as a football player, would be very beneficial representing the United States Army.”

There are two sides to the argument over whether this was a proper decision. As the Army struggles to expand, any strong recruiting effort by Campbell may truly help. At the same time, how does one go play football while his classmates go to war? Phil Carter at Intel Dump wondered how effective Campbell could actually be:

Isn't the Army hemorrhaging junior officers? Don't we need young, tough, aggressive West Point football players to be platoon leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan? Isn't now the time for the "Petraeus Generation" to step up?...I'm not so sure. For starters, Campbell hasn't actually served as an Army officer. So it's not like he can go into some high school and talk about Army values and Army leadership and what those things mean from personal experience. It'd be different if he'd served a combat tour and then come back to the NFL. But all he knows is football and West Point. Which doesn't help much in recruiting enlisted personnel (as opposed to West Point cadets).

The UK Guardian had mixed feelings on the issue, but did acknowledge Campbell's position does offer the chance to get prospective recruits to listen:

"Join the army and live the glamorous life of an NFL player," he won't be saying. But then again he doesn't have to say anything to the impressionable kids ushered into the presence of the star of the 2008 NFL draft.

USA Today's sports blog Game On took an informal poll of its readers, finding that 53 percent believe Campbell should not be playing football at this time. A sampling of two reader comments show just how heated the discussion can get:

US YOUR BRAIN: I am a West Point graduate and I retired after a 20 year military career. While Campbell did not make these rules he is unfortunate to be one of the first to take advantage of them. This action and the rule disgusts me on many levels. There is NO HONOR in this action. During my time at WP we had one of the top field goal kickers in the the nation. He did not get to go into the NFL. He honorably served his time.

mrkeepingitreal: Geeezzzz... let the kid play and get over it. he's busted his butt for 4 years at the academy and had every intention of serving his tour. He just happened to be good enough to get drafted by the NFL...his publicity alone at the draft paid for his education. The Army and Armed Forces in general embrace stories like Campbell's and it's a great opportunity for his to represent them.

The Lions' defensive coordinator says he's impressed with Campbell so far -- but, I just wonder what happens if he doesn't make the cut. If he goes back to the Army, how will his soldiers treat him?

Controversy, Army

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Member Comments

Posted By: burbank (May 7, 2008 at 4:39 AM)

He made a commitment to serve his country first. All other incentives should come later. There are others I'm sure that have careers or other obligations that are important or that could give them prestiege and money. But they sacrificed that for a higher cause. They thought less of self and more of what really constitutes the make-up of any man or woman. Self sacrifice for the service of others.

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