Topline

Cornerback Cameron Kinley confirmed Monday the Navy won’t let him delay his military service to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—and won’t let him appeal the decision—which seems to conflict with other examples of service members allowed to go straight to pro teams, and a memo issued under the Trump Administration.

Key Facts

In a statement released via Twitter, Kinley, who signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May, said, "it is very difficult to have been this close to achieving a childhood dream" only to have it "taken away."

Kinley asserted he is "deserving of the opportunity" to play in the NFL before fulfilling his service requirement and "hopes that this situation will soon be overturned."

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Harker has not yet publicly disclosed the reasons behind the Navy's decision to decline Kinley's request. 

Kinley, the Naval Academy’s class president the past two years, started 23 games at cornerback and recorded 87 tackles.

He went undrafted in April but signed a free-agent contract in early May with defending Super Bowl champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and attended the team's rookie minicamp, with the Navy’s permission. 

Key Background:

In June of 2019, then-President Donald Trump issued a memorandum ordering the Pentagon to develop a revised policy allowing athletes at U.S. military academies to play professional sports immediately after graduating. That November, Defense Secretary Mark Esper signed a memo allowing athletes to apply for a waiver to delay their service, which requires that they eventually fulfill their military obligation or repay their education costs. As Kinley pointed out in his statement, several players have recently had their requests granted, including West Point's Jon Rhattigan, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and Nolan Laufenberg and George Silvanic, who both graduated from the Air Force Academy before signing with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, respectively.

Crucial Quote: 

"I am well aware and embrace the commitment that I made to serve when I arrived at the Naval Academy and am not asking to set aside that commitment," Kinley declared in his statement. "Instead, I want to represent my country and the Navy as an NFL player just as other players have been able to do."

What To Watch For:

Kinley, who is from Memphis, has reportedly sent a letter to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), requesting she contact the Navy and intervene on his behalf.

Surprising Fact:

Kinley shared the stage with Vice President Kamala Harris at the academy's graduation services last week. "Your legacy will not be solely measured by your accomplishments, but rather by the impact that you left on the lives of others," he told his fellow graduates during a rousing 15-minute speech. He then presented Harris with a Naval Academy jacket. Tampa Bay Bucs coach Bruce Arians said he "got goosebumps" watching a video of Kinley's graduation speech.

Further Reading:

From the Naval Academy to the Buccaneers to … the White House? Meet Tampa Bay rookie Cameron Kinley (The Athletic)

Navy won't let CB Cameron Kinley delay commission to play for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ESPN)