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What Caleb Campbell really means for the NFL, nation

By Samuel Lam | April 29th, 2008

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I wrote a column last night for my school’s newspaper. The original link can be found HERE.

I really feel that Caleb Campbell’s draft means a lot to the nation, being that he can serve the country while doing it on a bigger stage in the NFL.

Also, Dan Patrick talked about this exact article during an interview with Caleb Campbell during his radio show on Tuesday.
(It’s the 3rd hour for Tuesday’s show. He talks about my article in the 15th minute, then talks more about it after the interview. Check out the stream right HERE.

Army cadet’s future altered by final-round pick in NFL Draft
By Samuel Lam

With the 218th pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select safety Caleb Campbell, Army.

For most college athletes, being drafted by an NFL team is a life-changing experience. But for Campbell, it may have been a matter of life or death.

By having his name called by the Lions, Campbell’s post-graduate plans to head up a platoon in Iraq were put on hold. His draft to the NFL gives him a chance to serve America without having to go overseas.

If Campbell makes the team and signs a contract with the Lions, he can still fulfill his service requirements while playing professional ball. He would then be able to serve as a recruiter without having to engage in full-combat duty.

But that’s only if he makes the team.

As his name was announced during Sunday’s NFL Draft, fans wearing jerseys from various different teams chanted his name. “U-S-A” chants overwhelmed Radio City Music Hall in New York as Campbell conducted his post-draft interview with ESPN.

Campbell’s face lit up from the support by the different fans; and for the NFL, a hero was born.

Since the death of former NFL star and Army Ranger Pat Tillman in 2004, the NFL and fans have embraced men and women in the military. Holiday wishes are sent by players during the NFL’s annual Thanksgiving games. American flag decals are now placed on every player’s helmet while the war continues in Iraq.

Now the NFL can honor the military by letting Campbell serve his country on the gridiron.

Campbell, who finished his senior season with 97 tackles and three forced fumbles, said he planned to recruit on his off-days from football but would leave the NFL and join his graduating class in Iraq if it needed him.

But for the football-craved fans of the NFL, their league now has a true hero they can admire. With the troubled pasts of players like Adam “Pacman” Jones and Michael Vick, or the constant whining of Chad Johnson, the NFL has a role model for whom we can unanimously cheer.

Even if you aren’t an avid football follower like the ones who cheered Campbell’s name during the draft, you may find a fan-favorite in Campbell.

You may not agree with the war in Iraq or the things that the government has used the military for, but having a serviceman represent the country’s morals through football may be what the league and country need.

For now, Campbell sees this as a great opportunity to play football and still work as a recruiter.

He will be working hard during training camp to impress head coach Rod Marinelli. The safety will be fighting his way through blockers to stop the running back during practice.

He won’t only be fighting for a roster spot, but he will also be serving his country on a field in Detroit.

A video of his draft day experience.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 9:53 pm and is filed under Caleb Campbell, 49ers, Lions, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “What Caleb Campbell really means for the NFL, nation”

Hard Dawg says:

April 29th, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Although I respect your opinion, I could not disagree more. Caleb Campbell should do like other military academy graduates/football stars, such as Roger Staubach did, and that is honor his commitment. The recruiting angle in which Cadet Campbell is coming from is conveniently misguided. The only lesson that a potential Army cadet can extrapolate from Campbell’s example is that if you’re good enough at football, you won’t “have to” go to Iraq. To attempt to draw comparisons between him and Pat Tillman is an insult to Pat and his entire family. Tillman gave up something he loved to serve his country. Campbell gave up service to his country to do something he loves. Secondly, the VAST majority of active duty servicemembers who are currently serving in the Armed Forces, to include myself, serve in support units. In other words they do not serve in the combat arms. Furthermore, many have never been to Iraq and there are some who never will be given the opportunity. For all we know Caleb Campbell, had he not been given a bye on his obligated service, may have spent his entire Army commitment as an Administration Officer in the relative safety of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Let’s not make out a hero where there is none.

First Sergeant T. W. Ascot
USMC
Samuel Lam says:

April 30th, 2008 at 1:29 am

I respect where you are coming from. In fact, I had heard other people who had served their country overseas that felt that Campbell should fulfill his commitment. And there isn’t anywhere he said that he would desert his commitment if he isn’t able to continue an NFL career. What if he gets cut in two years? He could then return and go overseas.

I didn’t bring up Pat Tillman in comparison. I just brought him up to state a point that how since Tillman’s death, there has been a bigger awareness for the armed forces, and athletes who do serve.
True that Tillman gave up football to serve. But Campbell is also serving, but in a different aspect.

A lot of members in the Army have relayed messages back to Campbell in support of his decision to pursue a football career. I think the reason why I am OK with this as well is because of the impact he can have on this country and its image of the Army. He can be a local hero in Detroit and still be able to talk at schools and be able to recruit. Due to his popularity, maybe some young adults will actually listen to what he says.

It’s not like Campbell has just totally ignored the Army. He still will work under the rules and obligations he has agreed by. The message isn’t that “if you’re good enough, you don’t have to go to Iraq.”
The message is that you can serve your country in many different ways, not just the one way in Iraq. What he’s doing is helping bring the military to a better light here in America.
And who knows? Maybe he has a short career and serves in Iraq afterwards. Not only will he have made his impact here, but he can make his impact overseas.

But you know what Sergeant Ascot? I’m only talking as a fan. I have never been in the armed forces, so I can’t speak from that perspective. I’m only speaking as a person from the outside. And from what Campbell has done so far in these 72 hours, it has given me a bigger picture and better respect for the military. That’s the kind of impact that I hope, and he hopes, that can spread in this country.

And I respect your opinion on this matter, but I guess we’re from two different backgrounds and we see it differently.
ArtDog says:

April 30th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

I can agree with you Sam, as the Army has allowed this as long as he makes the team. If he doesn’t at any given point, he will return to serve his country elsewhere. This is also a recruiting advantage for Army and other branch’s of the military looking to bring in highschool grads who might of gone elsewhere.