Pentagon to allow Midshipman Cameron Kinley to pursue NFL career

The Department of Defense (DOD) has allowed Navy Midshipman Cameron Kinley to pursue his NFL career.

NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport shared on Tuesday that the DOD has “granted the opportunity” for Kinley to participate in training camp activities for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

#Bucs rookie Cameron Kinley, a former Navy captain, will be able to attend #Bucs training camp after all. Statements from @ck3thethrill and his agents @DivineSportsEnt pic.twitter.com/v9sib5mXFh

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 6, 2021

In a statement, Kinley’s agency, Divine Sports and Entertainment, thanked the NFL, the NFL Players Association, Congress and media outlets for helping it push Kinley’s case, calling him a “fine young man.” 

But God @DivineSportsEnt @Buccaneers @USNavy pic.twitter.com/Rsmfx03dZ1

— Cameron Kinley (@ck3thethrill) July 6, 2021

“Sometimes in life God tells us to be still. We do not always understand what he is trying to show us, but He always has an ultimate plan,” Kinley, who was a captain for the Navy football team, said in a statement. “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned throughout this whole process is to trust His timing and remain confident in the fact that God will always prevail.” 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement that he has approved Kinley’s request to play in the NFL, adding, “Upon completion of his playing time, we look forward to welcoming him back inside the ranks as a naval officer.”

“In the meantime, we know Cameron will take every opportunity on and off the field to ably represent the Navy and the military to the American people and to assist us in our recruiting efforts,” Austin said. “I applaud Navy leadership for finding this way to showcase both Cameron’s athletic prowess, as well as the quality and professionalism of our student athletes and our personnel.”

“Today, I was pleased to learn from Secretary of Defense Austin that he has granted Cameron Kinley’s request to pursue a playing career in the National Football League prior to his service as a naval officer,” President Biden said in a statement. “I am confident that Cameron will represent the Navy well in the NFL, just as he did as a standout athlete and class president at the Naval Academy. After his NFL career is over, he will continue to make us proud as an officer in the United States Navy.”

The Navy in June denied Kinley’s request to delay his active-duty service to play in the NFL. 

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) wrote a letter to Biden asking him to grant a waiver to allow Kinley to be on Tampa Bay’s active roster and saying that Kinley doesn’t want to terminate his commitment to the Navy. 

“Grant Mr. Kinley’s waiver to play in the NFL, and send a message to future academy graduates that the United States is a country where Americans can follow their dreams and be true to their commitment,” Rubio wrote. 

The Hill has reached out to the NFL and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for comment.

Updated: 6:14 p.m.