U.S. Navy cornerback Cameron Kinley   (pressboxonline.com / Photo Credit: Phil Hoffmann/Navy Athletics)

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  DC  –  PENTAGON  –  U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has granted Navy cornerback Cameron Kinley a waiver from active military duty to play in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Austin on Tuesday approved the waiver allowing Navy midshipsman Kinley to be exempt from reporting to active duty in order to play in the National Football League. Last month, the U.S. Navy denied a request by Kinley to delay his military service and try to play in the NFL. Kinley, the Navy’s 2021 class president who graduated in June, signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted rookie cornerback.   

“Today, I have approved a plan by the Department of the Navy that will permit former Naval Academy midshipman Cameron Kinley to play professional football in the NFL. This plan will see Cameron enlisted in the Inactive Ready Reserve for the duration of his football career.  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. 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.”

-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin said in statement 

Kinley praised God for the decision to allow him to play pro football:

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

— Cameron Kinley (@ck3thethrill) July 6, 2021

However, some say Navy midshipsmen should honor their commitment to actively serve in the US military upon graduation, given they receive a free education paid for by tax payers.  They note that former NFL star quarterback Roger Stauback who graduated from the Naval Academy and served his required 2 years active duty without any delay before playing pro football.   Sports fans know Stauback was a great success despite not immediately going pro after the Navy.