Posted on 07/07/2021 5:19:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Rookie cornerback Cameron Kinley has been granted his request to play in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday.
Austin announced in a statement that he approved a plan by the Department of the Navy to enlist Kinley in the Inactive Ready Reserve "for the duration of his football career." The news comes after Kinley's request to delay his Navy commission to play in the NFL had initially been denied.
"Upon completion of his playing time, we look forward to welcoming him back inside the ranks as a naval officer," Austin said in the statement. "In the meantime, we know Cameron will take every opportunity on and off the field to ably represent the Navy and the military to the American people and to assist us in our recruiting efforts. I applaud Navy leadership for finding this way to showcase both Cameron's athletic prowess, as well as the quality and professionalism of our student athletes and our personnel."
Kinley had released a statement earlier Tuesday that Austin had informed him he would be allowed to attend training camp with the Buccaneers.
"I am extremely appreciative of Secretary Austin's decision and I am excited to represent our fine military in the National Football League," Kinley said in a statement Tuesday. "This past month has been very challenging and I am thankful for everyone who has supported me in any way."
Kinley thanked the NFL Players Association, the NFL league office and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., among others in his statement.
Rubio had written a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to assist Kinley in delaying his commission with the Navy so he could attend training camp with the Buccaneers.
"I am confident that Cameron will represent the Navy well in the NFL, just as he did as a standout athlete and class president at the Naval Academy," President Biden said in a statement Tuesday. "After his NFL career is over, he will continue to make us proud as an officer in the United States Navy."
Kinley was not given an explanation why Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Harker declined to send Kinley's deferment package to the secretary of defense and was told he could not appeal the decision.
After the Navy's decision, Kinley, who is from Memphis, wrote a letter to Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., for her help in approaching the Navy to change its decision.
"I'm happy that he will have his opportunity to prove himself," former Navy running back Keenan Reynolds, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2016 and played two games with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, told ESPN's Jenna Laine. "There is no better person to grant the exception to than Cam. He fits the bill through and through."
Kinley, a team captain at Navy and class president, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers and participated in the team's rookie minicamp with the Navy's permission. At that minicamp he intercepted a pass thrown by Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask.
"I thought he showed promising signs when he was here," Bucs coach Bruce Arians said of Kinley.
Slap in the face to the American taxpayer.
Carraway- u shoda’ stuck with Gatsby-keep him alive.
This is good for the academies and the Navy. The team can offer to reimburse the treasury or he can serve at a later date.
Who is going to reimburse the person who didn’t get into the academy because the school chose an athlete instead? Somebody lost here; we just don’t know that person’s name.
These arrangements are also considered good for public relations and recruiting. Remember David “The Admiral” Robinson in the NBA.
The ceiling number of officers is governed by statute and managed by the individual services. If we are short a naval officer, another will be brought in through one program or another.
You should stuck with your buddy Farrakhan - keep him alive.
God Bless The Young Man, and God Speed in your mission to serve Our Great Country!
It’s my understanding that the slots for athletes entering a military academy are managed separately from those entering by Congressional nomination. I believe I read that in some thread here on FR but I can’t cite specifics.
It was wrong for Napoleon Mccalum back in the 80s and it’s wrong now. He signed a commitment to serve on active duty and had an opportunity to walk away prior to his 2nd class (junior) year. should honor his commitment.
USNA ‘89
Go Navy-Beat Army!
we'll see if there's any kneeling for the anthem or turning his back on the flag etc....adn we'll see if he keeps his committement.
That’s what they said about undrafted Arian Foster, and he had more all pro seasons than any of the drafted running backs.
Nobody loses. He’ll still do his service, just later. And the Navy gets good publicity. This happens every few years. Only thing that made this a big deal is he’s the first in a while to get denied.
Why would you make such a disparaging comment about someone dedicated to serving our country? A 27 year old can most certainly serve our country, but has virtually no chance of playing in the NFL. If he can outreach to young fans and open their minds to serving our country as an NFL player, what's wrong with that?
FWIW- folks who don't complete one of the Military Academies are on the hook for tuition at roughly 50k a year.
Roger Staubach served his obligation before joining the Cowboys.
If he was dedicated to serving our country, he would not be trying to play in the NFL instead of honoring his military obligation. He entered into it voluntarily. If he was interested in playing professional football, he could find to another school.
Black privilege....wanna bet he never serves a day of active duty?
The last 3 players to get this deferment were white. Yes he’ll serve.
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