Rubio Urges POTUS to Grant Naval Academy Football Player Waiver to Play in the NFL (Buccaneers)

[douglas9]

Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to grant a waiver for Cameron Kinley, a recent graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, to temporarily delay his military service in order for him to pursue his dream of playing in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“In years past, the U.S. Department of Defense has issued many waivers to allow athletes to temporarily delay their service to our nation to pursue their professional sports dreams,” Rubio wrote. “Unfortunately, Mr. Kinley seems to be the exception, and without reason.”

“Mr. Kinley is not seeking to terminate his commitment to the Navy,” Rubio continued. “He wishes to promote service to our great nation from one of the country’s largest stages. I implore you to right this wrong.”


https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Press-Releases&id=F8F7F63D-827A-45B4-A418-B92556B9E096

[luv2fly]

1. Since it is Rubio's website

What don't we know about this story?

[FarPoint]

2. Use this as a bargaining chip...

I think it is an option...

[FoxNewsSucks]

4. I just hope

Democrats, including Biden, have noticed that republiqon scum NEVER follow through with their end of a bargain.

Biden needs to get something first.

[RockRaven]

3. Wouldn't the responsible thing be to ask why the decision was made the way it was, rather than

seeking to reverse it without knowing?

[AZSkiffyGeek]

5. The reaponsible thing

Would be not choosing a candidate for the academy who isn’t serious about joining the military.

[NCDem47]

6. My thoughts exactly.

Dude (the football player), you just had four years of college paid for. No, you cannot go play for millions of dollars and wave off your obligation.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

10. He's only asking to delay it to be fair, not 'wave it off' (nt)

[jimfields33]

8. I don't see this young African American doing that at all.

We’ve let football players for decades do this. Why is it suddenly a problem?

[AZSkiffyGeek]

11. Why go the naval academy if your goal is an NFL career?

You aren’t at the Academy to play football.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. I love it when someone who has loudly and publicly disrespected me

now wants something from me.

Beg a little more . . . . . .

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. Roger Staubach didn't get this waiver and he was a Heisman winner who eventually led the Cowboys to

4 Super Bowls.

Granted, it was during the Vietnam War, but ... he was a clearly special player.

My stepdad roomed with him for a time at Annapolis, funnily enough.

[DinahMoeHum]

13. Neither did Phil McConkey. He did the mandatory five years. . .

. . .service after graduation from the Naval Academy before going for the NFL and making it to the NY Giants as a wide receiver. He played a major role in the Giants' victory in Super Bowl XXI (21)

[OriginalGeek]

17. First pro game I ever saw in person

Cowboys vs the Eagles at Texas Stadium. Philly was leading all game long until Roger executed one of his many come from behind victories. I think I was in 4th grade and I've been a Cowboys fan ever since.

[Deuxcents]

12. What if...

This young man has a career ending injury n can no longer play football? Will his injuries prevent him from fulfilling his military obligations? Then what? No. Rubio needs to spend his last few months in office doing good for all of us..

[Hugh_Lebowski]

15. What if he had a career-ending injury while playing football at Navy?

Why do they even have Army and Navy college football teams?

Guys could get badly injured and not be able to fulfill their obligations that way as well.

One objection to granting a waiver in this case is the young man was not drafted by the NFL, nor as best I can tell, invited to training camp as an undrafted free agent. It really is 'a dream', IOW.

Additionally, there absolutely is history of NFL teams giving 'shots' to standout military academy players after their service is complete. It's not like doing your service completely crushes your NFL chances. Alejandro Villanueva (Steelers/Ravens) is a current (well-paid I'd add) player doing just that.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

14. A FREE education at a Military Academy...

Comes at a price. Serve your country first before persuing economic opportunities like an NFL career.

[NQAS]

16. Name the players granted this waiver in the past. (Nt)