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Lions' Campbell must return to traditional military duties Associated Press Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Caleb Campbell must return to full-time traditional military duties. DETROIT -- 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 But a subsequent Department of Defense policy has superseded the 2005 Army policy.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." Link
"I only had a couple of weeks to train, but I'm glad it happened because it gave me a chance to be a Browns player," Bell said.
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God and country come first. He knew that. Thats the price you pay for putting on the uniform.
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With our country at war, I agree. I'm not a man who's served, but I agree that his service is more important.
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Legend
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Quote:
With our country at war, I agree. I'm not a man who's served, but I agree that his service is more important.
I have always felt that military athletes shouldn't be exempt from fulfilling their commitment.
The Army educated him, now he needs to pay it back.
Just the way it goes when you go that route.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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I don't disagree with you guys but I feel like for the army to go back on allowing him in the service kind of sucks. I wish they didn't take it away form him as it now serves as a morale killer I think.
"I only had a couple of weeks to train, but I'm glad it happened because it gave me a chance to be a Browns player," Bell said.
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I don't disagree with you guys but I feel like for the army to go back on allowing him in the service kind of sucks. I wish they didn't take it away form him as it now serves as a morale killer I think.
I agree with you. I think that he should be "grandfathered in" so that he can be with the Lions. It really stinks that they can change the rules like that and go back on their word.
#gmstrong
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Obvously there's some risk in drafting a military man. Things can change at the drop of a hat.
![[Linked Image from members.cox.net]](http://members.cox.net/flyinc5/smallsigpics/frcburnout.gif) AL 29 76 14 R_K
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it is BS that the army flip flopped on him i mean that guy could have done a world of good getting new recruits 
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Obvously there's some risk in drafting a military man. Things can change at the drop of a hat.
I understand what you're saying. It's just that no national/international crisis has occurred since the NFL draft and I think he should be grandfathered in.
#gmstrong
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I hear the Toronto Argonauts are always looking for a good running back Mr. Campbell.
Last edited by Kingcob; 07/23/08 10:39 PM.
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I just read about this. Though I feel bad for him he went to Army for another reason and that reason wasn't football. It does suck b/c I remember the story while watching the draft and thought it was terrific that he was drafted, but also didn't like when they mentioned how he "may be spared" thinking about his classmates that didn't play ball who might not be. Country comes first at the academies. Roger Staubach(sp) did it so can he.
Our honor defend, we will fight to the end, for OHIO! GO BUCKS!
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Not sure if they (the NFL) still have this...but I had a buddy who played with the Browns a few years back from the Air Force. They were basically able to keep him on the roster for 3 years while he fulfilled his Air Force obligations on a military roster exemption that teams got. Almost like a "practice squad" type player that wopuldn't count towards the main roster, or practice squad, but once those years were up - he's yours.
Unfortunately, he didn't make the team in his final year. He's now back coaching for the Air Force.
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Wait just a moment here... while I understand the sentiment that he got an education via the military, and he has an obligation to the military, I wonder how they can just switch gears on the kid.
Granted, I agree that he needs to do his duty,, NO QUESTION about it.
But it appears that he and the lions followed the rules set forth and now the rules have changed, seemingly without warning.
In the end, he's gonna have to serve his time in the military.. But I just wonder, was this fair play?
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken...
What's the use of wearing your lucky rocketship underpants if nobody wants to see them????
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Ever hear of STOP LOSS, the military does what they want and you cant do anything about it. Though unfair thats the life of a soldier.
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It's definately not what Campbell or the Lions wanted. But they both knew this could happen.
While one side of me says that the Army shouldn't go against what they already worked out to be a agreement with the player and the NFL, I understand (all too well) how the military works.
The original agreement was that he would play for the Lions, and fulfill his duties to the Army by serving a recruiter's billet. To me that seems like a great deal. Both the NFL and the US Army get the good publicity they want/need and the kid gets to fulfill his dream of the NFL. But who knows what this kid was trained to do. Maybe he has some special skills that are needed. Either way, he was (and is) on Active Duty and as such is subject to the whim and circumstance that is Uncle Sam.
Go, do your duty, fulfill your obligations and try again in a few years.
KeysDawg
The fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. - Carl Sagan
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Quote:
Wait just a moment here... while I understand the sentiment that he got an education via the military, and he has an obligation to the military, I wonder how they can just switch gears on the kid.
Granted, I agree that he needs to do his duty,, NO QUESTION about it.
But it appears that he and the lions followed the rules set forth and now the rules have changed, seemingly without warning.
In the end, he's gonna have to serve his time in the military.. But I just wonder, was this fair play?
Yes, it is most definitely fair play.
It is the Military. When you join, they literally OWN you. It isn't just a job, it is a complete way of life.
It doesn't matter what was said, it was said at the convenience of the military. If the military's situation changes, then so does his.
Does it suck? Yup, sure does.... but life is like that. He has to suck it up and move on.
Hopefully, he keeps himself in football shape and is still able to get a shot with a team in 2 years.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Like I said, I understand that Purp.. and yes, no question, he has got to do his duty.. no way out of it.
But three months ago when the draft took place, this was apparently not in the works.. now, it is?
Again, I understand, you joined, you are owned.. It just seems to me that if there was that possibility, he should have known before it smacks him in the face..
But again, that's just my opinion...
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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First let me say I did a 3 year tour in the Army from 91 - 94.
I think Campbell should be allowed to play football and be a recruiter in Detroit. I think it would have a bigger effect on the Army overall than him going overseas. I also think the Army screwed him, like me maybe he was promised this when he joined. I was promised Airborn school after basic, then after basic was told no you can't go because of the numbers game. Maybe he was a fringe college guy not really good enough for an offer to go to school for free and in steps the Army.
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Who says he didn't know it before hand? I'd bet money that he did... it's the military. You take nothing for granted; anything and everything can change at the drop of a hat.
There's also two other possibilities:
Someone higher up in the food chain is yanking him around for some reason. Possibly a new C.O. trying to set some kind of stupid example that he is 'The Man'.
He got his head a little inflated from getting drafted, maybe shot his mouth off a little, and is now getting knocked down a peg.
All we have is speculation, but on the surface it is just what it is... his orders have changed. Simple as that.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Quote:
It really stinks that they can change the rules like that and go back on their word.
For those who were never in the military, when you enter, you give up about 99% of your rights as a American citizen. The military can make the rules as it goes along and apply those rules pretty much when and where it wants.
The only real rule they have is you do what you're told. If they tell you to go to football camp, you go to football camp. If they tell you to report to Ft. Campbell, you do that.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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The military can make the rules as it goes along and apply those rules pretty much when and where it wants.
a necessary evil.
all is fair in love and war.....and the military is war (peacetime or not)
AL 29 76 14 R_K
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Well at least now he will be kept saftely away from a dangerous and potentially career ending situation ... playing for the Lions.
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The Lions hold his rights through the 2009 Draft since he was unsigned.
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Quote:
Quote:
It really stinks that they can change the rules like that and go back on their word.
For those who were never in the military, when you enter, you give up about 99% of your rights as a American citizen. The military can make the rules as it goes along and apply those rules pretty much when and where it wants.
The only real rule they have is you do what you're told. If they tell you to go to football camp, you go to football camp. If they tell you to report to Ft. Campbell, you do that.
Yes..that is what is is.
So many people shake their heads at this situation an ask why...when you take the oath to serve the County and Uncle Sam it is a long time journey!
He should be proud to give up the huge bucks and fight for what he obligated himself for...I hope the best for him!
![[Linked Image from i96.photobucket.com]](http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l197/thazen/brownsflag2.jpg) GO BROWNS!
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I think it stinks for him...but I understand why he has to. He made an oath to our country and I salute him and will pray for his wellbeing as well as all the other troops.
I think it stinks that the military can change the rules in the middle of the game as well. The guy was home free if he made the roster and now he doesn't even get the chance to.
Last edited by Ammo; 07/24/08 10:10 PM.
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Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Lions' Campbell must return to
traditional military duties
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