Recent Naval Academy graduate Cameron Kinley will not be allowed to pursue professional football following a policy reversal by the Secretary of the Navy.
Kinley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 1 and has been seeking permission to play in the National Football League ever since. The United States Navy approved Kinley’s request to participate in Tampa Bay’s rookie-free agent minicamp late last month.
However, Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Harker has now denied Kinley’s request to delay his commission and is requiring the Naval Academy Class of 2021 president to begin serving as an ensign.