Patriot: Navy Orders NFL Player to Report for Duty
- Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:11pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and running back for the New England Patriots has been ordered to report for duty aboard a Navy ship in Jacksonville.
Eric Kettani, who made the news after making the team’s practice squad, requested a leave from active duty that would allow him to continue on with the Patriots but his request was denied.
Kettani said he hopes to get back to his NFL career but knows he must follow orders.
“I love my country and I’m happy to serve it, but I’m also happy to be a New England Patriot,” Kettani told Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
According to NBC, athletes from the military academies are obligated to fulfill a five-year commitment to the armed services upon graduating. Often the ones drafted or signed by NFL teams are typically granted leave to pursue their athletic careers. However, the Navy had something different in mind for Kettani:
“As our nation is at war, it is important to ensure we maintain our commitment to the nation’s defense,” the letter from the Navy said. “As such, a release from active duty would be inconsistent with that effort.”
“I appreciate your Patriotism and service to our nation and encourage you to pursue your goal to play professional football after completion of your service in the Navy.”
NBC points out that the famous Navy graduate to play in the NFL was Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach:
The Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the tenth round of the 1964 draft, but he couldn’t join the team until 1969, as a 27-year-old rookie. In his 10-year carrer, he led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls, including the team’s championship in 1972.
So despite having to complete military service and defer his NFL career, Kettani could still have a bright future in professional sports ahead of him.
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Comments (62)
I SPY
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:59pmAt least this “player” has a real job unlike his NFL counterparts who play a child’s game for a living and get paid ridiculous amounts of money for no reason.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 1:54amAmen! And I am very proud that he said that he is proud to serve his country.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 8:04amAt what our military are paid, I’m glad he has the NFL to fall back on.
Report Post »kennyg933
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 9:01amWho are we at war with? I never heard of any declaration of war? What happened? I was reveling in the Brewer’s win and suddenly, we are at WAR? Now, I know that we have a lot of troops fighting the opium and lithium control ‘police action’ in Afghanistan, but I didn’t know that that was a WAR! Wow, I had no idea that the people of Afghanistan declared war on us! Did they? I do know that we are borrowing money by the aircraft-carrier-load from the ‘Federal’ Reserve Corporation to fund military operations there. Is that why it’s called a war? So people get in the groove of acceptance over it? Oh my, a WAR? With the Navy, and bombarments and naval battles, like at Midway, but this time in Afghanistan? I always thought Afghanistan was landlocked. Silly me. I am WAY out of touch.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 9:52amThat‘s part of the ’sacrifice’ part of serving your country.
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 12:40pmCheck out the average career for an NFL Player. We all love our military, but we ALSO LOVE OUR FOOTBALL
Report Post »ezeewhiz
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:53pmYour days in the NFL are numbered. Your morals will last you a life time young man. God Bless
Report Post »TJexcite
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:40pmFor some reason Pat Tillman came to mind.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:53pm… stack ‘em up, Eric …
SEMPER FI
Report Post »psychokittis
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:13pmAmen to that. Pat quit the NFL to join the army after 9-11. He gave his life. A debt we’ll never be able to repay.
Report Post »manster35
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:18pmAny kid who is able to graduate from The United States Naval Academy is a credit to this country. This young man has a bright future in front of him and knows what Duty Honor and Courage are all about. Go Navy Beat Army!!!!!!
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:26pm… He’s a Patriot! Period! Everybody else … PISS OFF!!!
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:05pmGo Army!!!!
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:04pmKettani simply said he liked being a Patriot—I can dig that. To this point, it doesn‘t appear that he’s whining about or planning to shirk his responsibility—So cut the lad a break!
Report Post »GoldenSage
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:59pmWell, with all the c*** happening in this country today, supporting the Navy’s stance in this case is unbelieveable. We can be understanding for every low-life in this “world” but we can’t be understanding for a young man wanting to serve this country but is “asking” for some understanding. We are “retreating” from our wars, why can’t we be understanding. When do we start “rewarding” those that deserve it. When do we start respecting “people” for who they are instead of what position they have? We have an attorney general who lies, but we can’t call him a liar. We have an Obama (I can‘t give him false respect when I know he doesn’t deserve it; he hates the form of this country) who lies and we can’t call him a liar. We had a president (Bill Clinton) who lied to us ball-faced and he got away with it. What has happened to this country? We deserve what we get…a country ruled by the Soro and Obama World Order. We are getting worse than Europe. When will someone stand up for AMERICA! and what is RIGHT and not cow down to a title. Heil, King George, III. Oooops…my “wife!” is calling…Coming, darling….
Report Post »lbouldin
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:27pmHow about you stand up instead of asking someone else to!!!!!!!
Report Post »proliance
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:47pmThe Navy let Lt.jg David Robinson out of three of his 5 year commitment so he could play in the NBA. But there was no war on and he managed to grow so much he literally could not fit in the submarines he was assigned to.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:31amDid he EVER fit in subs at his height?
Report Post »He’d have trouble on deck of a carrier!
LOL
Steev
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:45pmYou made a commitment son – i‘m sorry it didn’t work out the way you had hoped it would but life often times works that way, so have some integrity & fulfill that commitment without whineing and moaning about it. Do you love your country enough to serve it ?
Report Post »cammiegene
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:43pm2smokey-bojangles:
Staubach didn’t get out of it. He was drafted in the NFL in ‘64,He didn‘t join the cowboys until ’69
He served his 5 years,and then went to the nfl.
Report Post »Fitz of DE
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:43pmwell not that i be signed in prior but am in now… We pray for the LORD’S Will for this fine young man, my son also received an appoitment to the USNA, but felt it best to go to a smaller school, but none the less This fine young man new the rules as will follow orders… God Bless AMERICA One Nation Under GOD !!
Report Post »apollo18
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 1:46amWell said, This man is living a wonderful life, blessed by God, I hope he has a terrific time while underway. I‘m sure his inspiration to his shipmate’s won’t be lost on his CO and crew. BZ to Lt Kettani and the crew of the USS Klakring (FFG 42), “Fair winds and trailing seas”! We are proud of you and thank you for your fine service. Enjoy it while it lasts! You’re having the time of your life! Be safe and concentrate on your job and responsibilities. We’re depending on you to “get it right”. Many thanks of a very grateful nation.
Report Post »Fitz of DE
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:41pmtest
Report Post »Steev
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:36pmYou made a commitment son – too bad it didn‘t work exactly as you’d hoped ( life works that way sometimes ). Now it’s time to exercise some integrity and see your commitment through. Do you love your country enough to not whine and moan about serving it .
Report Post »cammiegene
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:46pmDidn’t notice any whining. He said he asked,was turned down,and knows he has to follow orders.
Where’s the whining in that?
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:04pmAgreed – this man is NOT whining. Good for him – the Pats will have him back when his commitment is fulfilled. Belichick loves the Navy guys.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:28pmThrottle back, Steev. He got permission to go to camp. Then they ordered him to active duty and he is complying – willingly and without whining. There is no whine in a USNA grad. They pretty much wring that right out of you.
Report Post »discus02
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:36pmGod Bless you and keep safe. Always in our prayers!
Report Post »Angelteam02
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:31pmBe true to your yourself,family and country…..Semper-fi,jarheads…..Never give up…
Report Post »ThankBabyJesus
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:25pmGod bless Mr. Kettani. May you come back to a safer and better America because of you.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:20pmHow did Roger Staubach get out of that?
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:26pmDid you read the article? He served his 5 years as a supply officer, and then joined the Cowboys.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:11pmYou got about 10,000.00 a year or semester depending on your color from the government to go to school…and signed papers to serve, go serve dude.
Report Post »apollo18
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 1:55amHe got a lot more than that attending the US Naval Academy. An education at Annapolis costs almost $250,000 in potential investment and actual costs, depending on path of service. Getting in, “there in lies the rub”.
Report Post »usmc1063
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:49pmSemper Fi Navy May God be with you.
Report Post »FToth84
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:46pmMay God be by your side at all times. Best of luck!! E-A-G-L-E-S sorry had to do it
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:38pmTwice a Patriot!
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:10pmGood one !
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:36pmGOD BLESS AND PROTECT YOU, son, in JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
Report Post »kcinco
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:35pmFulfilling his commitment to serve is the right thing to do. If he didn’t serve, he should be required to reimburse the DoD for his education.
Report Post »eaglenva
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:28pmEric, keep your head on a swivel son, your weapon at hand and come safe.
God speed
III
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:53pmDitto.
Report Post »xoke
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:26pmGod speed Patriot! What a fine young man.
ps (Go Giants)
Report Post »angry nerd
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:16pmWith all the cheap shots going on in the NFL he will probably be safer!
Report Post »Either way thank you for your service and come back safe.