In the seventh round of last month's NFL draft, the Detroit Lions selected Caleb Campbell, a safety who played college football at Army. And thanks to a new U.S. military policy, Campbell will get to play in the NFL, assuming he makes the Lions' roster, while his West Point classmates have to serve active duty, many of them in Iraq.In a profile in the Boston Globe, Campbell talks about the harsh criticism he has faced from people who think he's doing the wrong thing by going to the NFL instead of serving on active duty:
"The worst was a handwritten letter," says Campbell, a native of Perryton, Texas. "It said, 'Please don't do this. How can you look your classmates in the eyes when they are serving their country and going to Iraq and you're taking the easier way out?' That hit me . . . But I'd be a fool not to take advantage of this opportunity."I disagree with anyone who suggests that Campbell shouldn't be able to look his classmates in the eye. But I also disagree with Campbell when he says he'd be a fool not to take the opportunity. By that rationale, Pat Tillman is a fool. I certainly hope Campbell isn't suggesting that.
The bottom line, though, is that the Army decided to make this choice available to Campbell. How many people wouldn't do what he's doing if they were in his shoes?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-31-2008 @ 7:34PM
Justin said...
GO LIONS! Super Bowl XLIII champs!!! Yeah baby!
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6-01-2008 @ 5:34AM
al coholic said...
You might be surprised....What do you think Roger Staubach would have done if he had been offered that choice?
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5-31-2008 @ 7:46PM
Sports Fan said...
Why the NFL? Why not hockey? I don't understand this logic. Is there something wrong with other sports that they can get an exemption too? Professional cricket is looking for a few good men.
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5-31-2008 @ 7:47PM
srbsam said...
You have to consider that the circumstances have changed, when Pat Tillman signed up it was far easier to morally support the government and war in Iraq than it is now. If Caleb Campbell makes an impact in the NFL and helps to entertain millions of fans then he'll arguably be serving the quality of life for the people of America just as much as he would do in Iraq.
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6-01-2008 @ 2:13AM
Dr Huxtable said...
Pat Tillman was a fool. He left the NFL to fight for a corrupt government and then he was killed by his own men.
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6-01-2008 @ 4:12PM
Lakergregg said...
Here's the difference, when you make the decision to go to a service academy you make the decision based on having a military career not a sports career.
Remember like the military itself the service academy is a choice made by the individual.
I am an Army veteran who served in Iraq with the 82d Airborne so I do have a bias.
Civilians will say its his choice and he shouldn't be ashamed and thats their right.
He will get far less love from his military brethren,when you volunteer for the military you do your time.
We're all in the same boat, we celebrate together and we get f--ked together(figurtivly),your fellow joes are your toughest critics.
I down no man or woman for wanting to make more money or having a shot at stardom, but when you obligate yourself to the military you must understand that you are willingly putting those things on hold.
Its a volunteer military and thats why we are a "Band of Brothers."
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