Caleb Campbell

[Redreed]

So, Caleb Campbell... You guy's remember him from the draft? The SS from Army that could be relieved of his Army duties if he was drafted? He got drafted in the 7th round by the DET Lions, and the crowd roared, everyone was so happy for him, he cried on television...

And now this from NFL.com:

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."

Sucks. Bad.

Very poorly handled by the Army, to pull the deal out from under this kid after the first day of camp. Heartbreaking. Can you imagine?

[LilyRaven]

I read that. Like they can't spare one guy.

I served my four and I understand his military commitment does take precedent, but good grief, if there were ever a time the Army could use some good press, it's now.

My heart breaks for him.

[ROH522155]

thats terrible

[FerrariFan87]

So, Caleb Campbell... You guy's remember him from the draft? The SS from Army that could be relieved of his Army duties if he was drafted? He got drafted in the 7th round by the DET Lions, and the crowd roared, everyone was so happy for him, he cried on television...

And now this from NFL.com:

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."

Sucks. Bad.

Very poorly handled by the Army, to pull the deal out from under this kid after the first day of camp. Heartbreaking. Can you imagine?

It really does... the Army screwed up badly on this one. I would sue if I were him (and if it were possible).

[BloodRaven]

Hey, he shouldnt get preferential treatment just because he was drafted by a pro football team. Sure it sucks but he knew the reality of both situations.

[Redreed]

Hey, he shouldnt get preferential treatment just because he was drafted by a pro football team. Sure it sucks but he knew the reality of both situations.

The reality of the situation is that the Army allowed him to enter the NFL draft under the pretense that if he was given the opportunity to play NFL football then he could work in the off season as a recruiter in the States.

The reality of the situation is that the Army did not live up to it's end of the bargain.

It's not an issue of preferential treatment (which, even if it was I would disagree with you, because it'd be better for him, his family, AND the Army if he was in the NFL, it's called positive press).

It's not an issue of knowing 'the reality of both situations' because there wasn't two situations before today. The Army only created the reality of a second situation today.

Have a heart.

[rayrayven]

What sucks is that the Army said Campbell could be drafted and was. He attended Lion camps in the Spring. Now the week the NFL training camps open the army says "oh sorry about that" and yanks they guy from the Lions? Very very shakey sense of fair play here to the lions as well as the player. Keep in mind to that Campbell was not "relieved" of any obligations. If he was still a player after two years he was then "allowed" to fulfill the rest of his obligation with 6 years of reserve time (and we all know what "reserve" time means these days) and that's hardly a cake walk.

[BloodRaven]

Hey, if the Army lied to him under false pretenses then thats different, but seriously, how do you join the Army if your heart is in football?

[Redreed]

Hey, maybe they offered him a D-1 scholarship?

[MDmid14]

You can be signed into the Army out of High School and thats probably what happened. He had a decent HS career and decided the Army was the way to go. He got accepted into Army and was excited just to play D1 ball. Then he kept improving and the next thing you know he was in the hunt to be selected. Poor kid.

[Drkraven]

An Appointment to any of the Military Schools is an honor and from I have read Campbell has a really great attitude about all this.

[Redreed]

An Appointment to any of the Military Schools is an honor and from I have read Campbell has a really great attitude about all this.

He sure does. Listening to him on ESPN radio network right now. Great attitude.

[Purple and Black Forever]

Campbell had considered transferring after his sophomore year to a D1 school so that he could enter the draft, the coaches and staff at West Point told them that the army policy (at the time) allows him to play football as an exceptional athlete. On July 8 the department of defence changed the policy and Campbell was no longer eligable since he had not signed his contract with the Lions yet. THere is a really good article on Yahoo about it, but I cant get there while I am at work. He wasnt going to be released of his duties, rather he would serve as a recruiter for 6 years instead of serving 4 traditional style.

[MyNameIsEarl]

I don't think this is entirely fair to the lions either. They wasted their draft pick and (for once) it was in no way their fault. Are the army going to compensate for that?