Campbell ordered to give up football...

[griffey_mojo]

Army orders Lions' draft pick Campbell to withdraw

DETROIT (AP) - Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for the Detroit Lions because of a change in military policy.

Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick for the Lions in April. At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.

But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.

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."

Liba wrote that 2nd Lt. Campbell may ask to be released from his active duty obligations in May 2010.

Liba said Campbell was allowed to enter the draft "in good faith."

[griffey_mojo]

I believe Campbell should have been "grandfathered in".

[griffey_mojo]

And to add...Campbell has handled this VERY well.

[Lsufan]

1st they say he can, now they say he can't .... This is just wrong. I agree, grandfather him in.

[jcindaville]

It's George W Bush fault

[kbsooner21]

That's Let the kid play!

[SteinDallas]

Let him play... make him serve in the OFF season or something he could do alot more good for the ARMY... PLAYING

[wayne1218]

I believe Campbell should have been "grandfathered in".

Me Too. They can't change the rule again AFTER telling him he could play. He was going to be a recruit for them on the outside and help out too. Total Bullshit on the Army's part (IMO)!!!!!

[shoeman530]

Campbell has handled this very well. He could be used a positive way for the army to actually recruit to West Point. I cannot remember where I heard it but recently the Navy Athletic Director stated their best recruiting tool for athletes is still David Robinson.

Letting him play and serve as a recruiter int he off season would allow them to make a push for a higher caliber athlete out of high school. They will never get the 5 star recruit but there could be some help with some others.

[buddyluv1968]

The military let several people play pro sports for several years. And it sucks that the army waited till the day before training camp starts to make this ruling. But if Ted Williams, Joe Louis, David Robinson, and a lot of other professionals serve... So can this young man... Shoeman is right I love the way Campbell is handling this.

[Kaptain]

wayne

Me Too. They can't change the rule again AFTER telling him he could play. He was going to be a recruit for them on the outside and help out too. Total Bullshit on the Army's part (IMO)!!!!!

GrandFather Laws are in place to restrict certain business places, from changing/altering, attributes/laws, after the fact to suit their needs....

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT---the Government is allowed to do so....Even if it is WarTime, one soldier.....give me a break....

GRANDFATHER him in, let him play, and move on Government.....IMO

[wayne1218]

GrandFather Laws are in place to restrict certain business places, from changing/altering, attributes/laws, after the fact to suit their needs....

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT---the Government is allowed to do so....Even if it is WarTime, one soldier.....give me a break....

GRANDFATHER him in, let him play, and move on Government.....IMO

I didn't mean "Can't" in the literal form. I meant it more in the form of morals. I really think it is a horrible decision made by them. Why wouldn't you want him playing in the NFL, getting his face out there, and recruiting guys who may feel a greater connection with him because of his "Fame". It seems like a no brainer to me but hey, if they would rather look like heartless assholes, so be it i guess.