Comments on: Army Completely Mishandling Caleb Campbell Situation

By: ARMY BANS CALEB CAMPBELL FROM PLAYING IN NFL « Mike Responts: The Blog

ARMY BANS CALEB CAMPBELL FROM PLAYING IN NFL « Mike Responts: The Blog — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:36:02 +0000

[...] of Defense) would turn down the FREE publicity of having somebody playing in the NFL. And, as Larry Brown Sports points out, it’s not like Campbell is going to serve as an officer in Afghanistan or Iraq. [...]

By: Larry Brown

Larry Brown — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:30:14 +0000

Dan,
If he did make the team, which he probably had about a 30% shot to as a special teamer, I think he would get a ton of attention every time he stepped on the field. Think about how much the media loves these stories — they’d eat it up. I agree about him signing the contract, but I think he would have a lot of value to them as a recruiter playing in the NFL.

By: dan

dan — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:24:56 +0000

Everyone needs to understand something here. The Army did not reverse its decision, the Dept of Defense (DOD) did. I agree with the DOD’s decision. The Army wanted to use him in recruiting, but lets look at one thing, he was a 7th round pick. This guy isnt a household name. So I dont buy that he would help recruiting that much. Maybe in Detriot, and maybe, just maybe nationwide IF this guy even would make the Lions roster. Plus this guy signed a friggin contract and is at the service of the Army. This guy is gonna be a Grad assistant. Which is BS in itself. Look David Robinson served his time and did Nap McAllum and Staubach. But then again it looks like Naval cadets will do whats asked from them and the USN knows after they serve their time they are just as an effective recruiting tool.

By: Larry Brown

Larry Brown — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:16:29 +0000

Agreed. And the timing is just so strange — the night before training camp? Come on.

By: maxsportz

maxsportz — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:34:43 +0000

No LB we should not expect any better from the gvt. But as you said he did sign up for it. It seems people are expected to play by the rules but gvt people can do pretty much whatever they want. I watched the HBO special on Joe Louis & how he helped the military promoting & all. Once he was old & used up & owed a bunch of taxes they hounded him relentlessly even though he had done great things for them in a time of need.. If anyone thinks their “country” will repay what you give them in service is mistaken I am afraid. Individuals do appreciate military people’s service but the gvt who runs the military does not & often uses the “troops” as political ammunition . The Pat Tilman deal makes me pissed off even right now.

By: NICK

NICK — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:21:00 +0000

i served in the army for 6 years and the DOA (Dept of the Army) is screwing up a prime recuiting tool in campbell… i posted his on a board that i frequent and have made my feeling known that this is complete and udder BULLSh*t…. They said he could play if he made the team but now he doesnt even get a chance to do that. The navy made David Robinson do reserve duty when he came out of the Naval Academy. So i am not sure why the Army said he has to serve in a “More Tradional” form of service only to say that he is going to serve back at the United States Military Academy at West Point.. MEMO TO DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES: DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS

By: SpinMax

SpinMax — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:57:26 +0000

It’s ridiculous. I’ve never served but have many friends who do. They are accustomed to unfair. My one friend spent a lot of time overseas and the last time home they couldn’t send him back for a year. 6 months later they call and he’s gone and he accepts it just fine.

These silly decisions are a deterrent when it comes to recruiting. The military has often taken advantage of famous recruits for their benefit and not sent them to war. Even in WWII heroes were brought home to travel around and even make movies asking ppl to buy war bonds. Over there he is just one soldier doing a job, over here he could recruit a thousand more.