The NFL could reimburse the treasury for the cost of their education. It could be good PR for the military. The government will never be accused of knowing what’s good for business even if it’s win-win.
The NFL draft could prove the seriousness of their abilities. If they are amongst the top 150(draft rounds 1-4) they would be good for at least 2-3 years. Plenty of off-season time to serve. Perhaps their attitudes would be influenced by the NFL cancel culture-not good.
sorry, forgot
Playing a game is more important that performing a contracted obligation to the nation?
Don’t think so.
I don’t care if the NFL is going to pay it back.
The answer is still Hell No.
What about somebody else who comes out with a degree in electrical engineering, and wants to go directly into the private sector and make good money? Why is a football player special?
What good does it do the military academies to publicize that they are willing to let guys out of their military obligation if they want to pay professional sports? So they can attract even more athletes who want a sports career rather than a military one? I think they'd much rather send the message of "hey, if you're more interesting in a career in professional sports than in the military, then go to a different school."
Paying back the cost of the education doesn't solve the problem. That young man who would be playing in the NFL will have taken a class slot away from another young man who would otherwise be serving in the Navy or Marine Corps. You'd have one fewer officer than you were supposed to have.
In terms of this guy in particular...he wasn't even drafted. So where do we draw the line? What if some other midshipman on the golf team wants to go PGA? Or some female mid wants to try out for the WNBA? And why is it only athletes who can get out of their obligation? What if someone else decides they'd rather be a professional musician, or artist? Should they get released as well so that they can pursue "their dream" too?
I did my 4 years at Navy, and knew I had a minimum 5 year obligation afterwards. It is not fair to everyone else who is required to serve to release someone from that exact same obligation just because they have a dream of being a professional athlete.
Paying back the cost of your academy education and such, was required. Don’t know if it still is, though.