Caleb Campbell -- No longer allowed to play.

[Skins fan 44]

They should of not even considered to let him play in the NFL for 2 years. It was an insult to many of who have been in the military academies. Did David Robinson go straight to the NBA after he was done playing in college? Did Roger Staubach go straight to the NFL? No to both. He had no business to even think he could go play in the NFL until 2 years.

[sportscurmudgeon]

1. If Campbell had been playing in the NFL, part of his deal with the Army was that he had to make compensation for part of the costs of his West Point education. I read somewhere that it would be a $120K payment; I read somewhere else that it would be a $140K payment. Whatever. Had he played, the taxpayers would have gotten part of their money back.


2. The West Point motto is "Duty Honor Country". Not a lot of "Honor" shown here by the Army brass for reversing themselves at the last minute. Yes, they have the right and the authority to do that - - but they sorta "gave their word" that there was a different deal in place here. PUlling the rug out at the last minute isn't all that "Honorable".


3. Caleb Campbell is a class act. Notice he is not suing the Army or threatening to sue them or seeking a court injunction to prevent them from changing the rules at the last minute. He was trained as an Army officer and he is behaving like an Army officer. Even thou he has to be disappointed to the max, he is not acting out. This is what you call a "player with character" - - whether or not he would have been a good NFL player is stil yet to be seen...


4. I suspect that the NFL will quietly approve an exceptional rule that will keep him as a Lion draftee when he gets out of the service and that no other team will object to that - - nor will the players' association.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

1. If Campbell had been playing in the NFL, part of his deal with the Army was that he had to make compensation for part of the costs of his West Point education. I read somewhere that it would be a $120K payment; I read somewhere else that it would be a $140K payment. Whatever. Had he played, the taxpayers would have gotten part of their money back.


2. The West Point motto is "Duty Honor Country". Not a lot of "Honor" shown here by the Army brass for reversing themselves at the last minute. Yes, they have the right and the authority to do that - - but they sorta "gave their word" that there was a different deal in place here. PUlling the rug out at the last minute isn't all that "Honorable".


3. Caleb Campbell is a class act. Notice he is not suing the Army or threatening to sue them or seeking a court injunction to prevent them from changing the rules at the last minute. He was trained as an Army officer and he is behaving like an Army officer. Even thou he has to be disappointed to the max, he is not acting out. This is what you call a "player with character" - - whether or not he would have been a good NFL player is stil yet to be seen...


4. I suspect that the NFL will quietly approve an exceptional rule that will keep him as a Lion draftee when he gets out of the service and that no other team will object to that - - nor will the players' association.

Well put.

[724Skinsfan]

Most of what sc said was well put. I disagree with point number 2 though. If they had allowed Caleb to enter the draft knowing full well that they were going to screw him then, of course, that would be "not honorable". Someone was getting a lot of crap for allowing him to participate in the draft. I'm sure the thought of him not even being drafted crossed a few minds (he was drafted in the 7th round). So a decision was reversed. Caleb and at least one other guy (St Louis pitcher?) are in the unfortunate position of being caught in a decision reversal. Bottom line, and Caleb has already acknowledged this with his actions or rather inaction, is that sh*t happens, get over it and do your job.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Quick Question:

If Caleb Campbell were allowed to play for the Lions he would probably live in Detroit.

If Caleb Campbell serves in the Army, he might be sent to Afghanistan.

Under which set of circumstances is Caleb Campbell in more danger of being shot?

Just asking...

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Quick Question:

If Caleb Campbell were allowed to play for the Lions he would probably live in Detroit.

If Caleb Campbell serves in the Army, he might be sent to Afghanistan.

Under which set of circumstances is Caleb Campbell in more danger of being shot?

Just asking...

Actually he will be living in New York while in the Army. Your chances of survival are greater in the Desert (Iraq or Afghanistan) than in any U.S. city (Detroit and New York included). The difference is will you die in a car wreck, by bullet wound, or will your limbs be blown off?