Should Navy Secretary allow Keenan Reynolds to play in NFL in 2016?

SGM Matthew Quick — Thu, 05 May 2016 20:18:23 -0400

"I'm confident that we can work something out for Keenan to do both, to serve his country and to play professional football," Mabus said during an appearance Thursday on The Dan Patrick Show.

"There are a lot of paths to both play and to serve," he said.

"I can't think of a better ambassador for the United States Navy or for the United States military than Keenan Reynolds."

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made May 5 at 2016 8:23 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Thu, 05 May 2016 20:23:24 -0400

SGM Matthew Quick ,
I most certainly believe it can be done and will ultimately serve as a dual benefit to both the player and service branch organization. However, his priority one responsibility lies within being of service to his country and NFL second.
http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/09000d5d82096c05

NFL members in the military

On this year's Veterans Day, take a moment to remember and learn about the NFL players and coaches who have served in the military.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 9:55 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 21:55:43 -0400

He has a duty to serve. He chose to attend Annapolis now the bill has come due.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made May 5 at 2016 11:33 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Thu, 05 May 2016 23:33:44 -0400

No. It is a great story but he needs to fulfill his obligation. He can use his leave to attend training camp like others did before him. Roger Staubach, Eddie Meyers, Napoleon McCallum (suffered one of the most gruesome knee injuries ever), David Robinson, among others all did it, so can he.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 5 at 2016 11:34 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 05 May 2016 23:34:39 -0400

Boo... He signed up to serve the Navy, and he should do... David Robinson had to serve first. http://www.biography.com/people/david-robinson-21101291
That said, this will help the military academies recruit...

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made May 6 at 2016 7:00 AM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Fri, 06 May 2016 07:00:48 -0400

The navy will find a way to let him play and serve. The Navy will continue to beat Army in football and this boosts their recruiting ability for any athletes that are that good.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2016 10:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 May 2016 10:23:02 -0400

Congrats for getting drafted but realistically he will be no more than a camp body or scout team player. So his first duty should be to honor his commitment to the Navy.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 6 at 2016 10:25 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 06 May 2016 10:25:44 -0400

SGM Matthew Quick, this guy had no trouble fulfilling his obligation to the U.S. Navy. I think that Keenan Reynolds should do the same. MAJ Carl Ballinger

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2016 4:59 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 May 2016 16:59:31 -0400

If the Navy had a midshipman who was an absolute computer whiz, and Google offered him a job coming out of the academy, would the Navy be willing to assign him to a make-work job in CA so he could work for Google fulltime as well as be in the Navy? I sort of doubt it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 6:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 18:28:20 -0400

I would like to see a professional clause in place. If he makes the professional team, not relegated to thw practice squad, than put him in the closest MEPS swearing in new applicants. If he does not make the professional team than he will continue to serve with the rest of his graduating class.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 12:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 12:32:49 -0400

No. He has an obligation to fulfill. It's great that he has a special talent, but so do many others who serve and no special exemptions are offered to those individuals.