Army Orders Lions Rookie to Active Duty

West Point star can't report to Detroit training camp
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 23, 2008 10:31 PM CDT
Army Orders Lions Rookie to Active Duty
Caleb Campbell, salutes as he receives his diploma at the United States Military Academy at West Point.    (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

West Point graduate Caleb Campbell—drafted in April by the Detroit Lions—has been ordered to put his pro football career on hold and report for military duty, the Detroit News reports. The Army abruptly changed its policy and told Campbell—a day before he was to report to training camp—that he must  complete two years of active duty before playing ball.

"It's unfortunate, but it doesn't mean Caleb Campbell's dream is dead. It just means it will be delayed," an Army spokeswoman told the AP. "We want to take care of soldiers and dashing their hopes is not what we intend. But it is what it is." Caleb made no public comment, but coach Rod Marinelli said that while the young linebacker is disappointed, "he got his orders and he's ready to report." (More Detroit Lions stories.)

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