Lions’ Caleb Campbell Balances Military And NFL Careers

Caleb Campbell is set to embark on a rare mission — a soldier-athlete, hoping to combine dual careers in the military and pro football.

Campbell has a career in the army ahead of him, in some fashion. He graduated from West Point on May 31 with a commission as a second lieutenant in air defense artillery.

Instead of taking leave and reporting to Basic Officer Leadership Course, as do nearly all West Point graduates, Campbell’s first duty assignment is on the gridiron.

Campbell will report to Detroit Lions training camp in Allen Park on Wednesday, hoping to begin a pro career. He played safety at Army but has been moved to linebacker by the Lions, who drafted him in the seventh round in April.

Campbell is using the “alternative service option” implemented by West Point, allowing cadets with “unique” talents to pursue pro careers after graduation. It does not relieve cadets of their service obligation but defers and modifies it.

Campbell is in a crossfire on multiple fronts: conflicting views among active and retired servicemen on whether a service-academy graduate should go on active duty immediately; the prospect of facing a grueling pro training camp; and his own ambitions to play pro football and continue his career as an army officer.

Campbell, 22, is from Perryton, Texas. He projects sincerity in talking about his West Point commitment and desire to play football.

Campbell has heard opinions on both sides of the issue. He heard chants of “USA, USA, USA” at NFL draft-day headquarters at Radio City Music Hall in New York when the Lions drafted him on April 27.

Back at West Point, some cadets did not have a clear understanding of the alternative service option. Campbell also said he received letters of support from active military, some on duty in Iraq.

“It’s great to hear positive feedback from it — when I get letters from Iraq, letters from soldiers saying, ‘Hey, we support you,’ ” Campbell said while participating in the Lions’ offseason workouts earlier this year.

“Probably one of the best letters I ever got was a guy that said, ‘I’m a captain in the U.S. Army. The day you take that field, I’m going to wear your jersey. I’m going to sew an American flag on it.’

“That tells me I represent not only the Detroit Lions but something much more — the United States Army.”

But there also has been negative feedback.

“I can’t control it,” Campbell said. “People are going to say what they’re going to say. You can’t take it personally at all. I made a decision to play football. I was given this opportunity. If I started teetering on the side and start kind of feeling guilty about it, I wouldn’t cope out here and produce.”

Lions head coach Rod Marinelli was a combat infantryman in Vietnam. The decision to draft Campbell was based solely on how he ranked as a prospect, not emotion or sentiment, Marinelli said.

“He was a draft-eligible player,” Marinelli said in the offseason. “My job is to find guys who can play football. If he is draft-eligible, you would expect me to find him.”

The alternative service option allows Campbell to play pro football for two years. The army considers him to be on active duty in that period, and he is obligated to participate in promotional programs and help recruiting.

After two years, Campbell can buy out the remaining three years of his active commitment at a cost of about $120,000. He would then be placed in a reserve category, with a six-year obligation.

Opinions vary on giving cadets that option.

Army Sgt. Mike McGuire, stationed at FBO Hammer southeast of Baghdad, conceded he is at war with his emotions over the issue.

The football fan in McGuire wants Campbell to make it with the Lions.

“I always love talking football,” McGuire said in an e-mail exchange. “I am always in favor of someone following the dream.”

McGuire, a career military man, would prefer that Campbell pursue a military commitment first.

“I am not totally against it, but the military man in me is,” said McGuire, a combat engineer and 15-year army veteran originally from St. Louis.

Opinions on the military historically run mostly black and white, with little gray area. As an institution, symbols of military service are ingrained in our culture — discipline, service, honor and tradition. It is particularly true when America is at war. Patriotism runs deeper, emotions hotter, in support of the troops.

Larry and Andrew Hansen of Muskegon come from a family with a history of military service. Both are strong supporters of Campbell.

Larry Hansen served four years as a Marine infantryman, from 1969-73. He was wounded by shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade while on duty in Vietnam in 1970 and is on permanent disability.

“I’m 100 percent for him,” Larry Hansen said. “It’s a great thing when a man has multiple gifts. I can’t think of any man serving right now who would turn down an opportunity for a multiple career. I certainly wouldn’t.

“If the rules say he can do it, then he should do it.”

Andrew Hansen served nine years in the army as a military policeman and left in 1991. He re-enlisted with the national guard in 2006 and is stationed in Lansing, preparing troops for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“What Campbell can do for the image of the military, as long as it’s not misconstrued as a publicity stunt, would do more good for today’s young soldiers than anything,” Andrew Hansen said. “He didn’t ask for special permission to join the NFL. They recognized him.”

There is a rich tradition of athletes in the military — none greater, perhaps, than the late Ted Williams. Williams lost three full seasons and parts of two others of his baseball career to serve as a Marine pilot in World War II and Korea.

Former heavyweight champion Joe Louis, the legendary Brown Bomber from Detroit, fulfilled his military obligation by fighting exhibitions for troops in World War II.

Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach won the Heisman Trophy at Navy in 1963. He served five years of active duty, including a tour in Vietnam, after graduating from the academy. He entered the NFL in 1969 with the Dallas Cowboys and led them to a pair of Super Bowl championships.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Muhammad Ali was banned from boxing from 1967-1970 for refusing induction into the Army. Ali, who once uttered “I ain’t got nothing against them Viet Cong,” cited being a Muslim for not serving.

For his first two years with the Lions — assuming he makes the roster — Campbell officially will be on active duty with the rank of second lieutenant. On off days and during the offseason, he will be used to help recruit. Those duties have not been specified.

The army expects to benefit from Campbell’s exposure and image he projects. A 2005 memo from the Under Secretary of Defense says, “There is a strong expectation they will provide the Department with significant media exposure likely to enhance national recruiting or public affairs efforts.”

While with the Lions, Campbell’s activities will be monitored by the army. Any promotional activities must portray Campbell in a favorable light.

“If he’s not a public-relations benefit — if he becomes Dennis Rodman — he’s no longer giving us a public-relations benefit,” said Col. Bryan Hilferty, director of communications at West Point. “He’s no longer a role model for the army. He’s not meeting our standards.”

No one expects that to happen. Campbell is sincerely committed to being a citizen-soldier. He said he has no qualms about returning to active duty if he does not succeed in football.

“I have the best of all worlds,” Campbell said. “I love the NFL opportunity and I love the army opportunity. If it doesn’t work out, I have a promising career in the army.

“My life can go in two different directions.”

- Mike O’Hara, Detroit News