SAN DIEGO -- Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said Navy's Keenan Reynolds and Chris Swain can defer their military service to play in the NFL.
Carter made the announcement on Friday during his graduation speech at the Naval Academy.
Carter’s announcement was considered the final step to clear the way for Reynolds, a sixth-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens, and Swain, an undrafted rookie signed by the San Diego Chargers, to play in the upcoming season.
San Diego is a good fit for Swain because of the heavy presence of the Navy in this city.