Update (July 7, 2021): Former Naval Academy football player Cameron Kinley who faced a setback last month when the Navy denied his request to delay his military service to play in the NFL is now getting his wish. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the decision on Tuesday, saying Kinley will be welcomed back to the ranks as a naval officer after his playing time in the NFL.

"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," Austin said in a statement, according to NBC Washington.

President Joe Biden said the undrafted rookie cornerback will continue to make the country proud as an officer in the United States Navy after his football career.

"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," Biden said.

Kinley, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie cornerback,  is now looking forward to joining the team during training camp later this month. 

"I am extremely appreciative of Secretary Austin's decision and I am excited to represent our fine military in the National Football League," Kinley wrote in a statement.

The rookie thanked the NFL Players Association and the NFL league office as well as several lawmakers, including Sen. Marco Rubio. According to ESPN, Rubio advocated for the athlete in a letter to Biden. 

"Lastly, thank you to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization for believing in me and remaining patient with me throughout this process. I am excited to get back to work in Tampa Bay with my teammates," Kinley wrote.

Bucs coach Bruce Arians said Kinley showed promising signs when he worked out with the team during rookie minicamp. 

Original (June 12, 2021): Cameron Kinley, who was captain of the US Naval Academy's football team this past year, faced a setback in his athletic dreams this week when the Navy denied his request to delay his military service and play in the NFL according to CNN. 

Kinley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after graduating last month as the Navy's 2021 class president, CNN reported. The undrafted rookie cornerback, who attended the team's rookie minicamp two weeks ago, then learned that he is being required to commission in the US Navy as an Ensign.

"I have spent the past week processing my emotions, as it is very difficult to have been this close to achieving a childhood dream and having it taken away from me," Kinley said.

The Navy's policy requires graduates to serve in active duty for five years after graduation.

"When students accept admission and continue their education in this program, there is an understanding and acknowledgement that they will upon graduation be commissioned," Capt. Jereal Dorsey wrote in a statement. "Every Midshipman attends on the same terms and each has the same responsibility to serve. Exceptions to that commitment to serve have been rightfully rare."

The Obama Administration policy, which allowed some service academy athletes to be placed on reserve status in order to play professional sports, was rescinded when Donald Trump took office. The policy was reversed again in 2019. 

In the past year, four graduates from other service academies have been allowed to forego their service commitment.  

"While I acknowledge that these men are from different branches of the armed services, it puzzles me as to why I am the only person to be denied this opportunity," Kinley wrote. "I look forward to my career as a naval officer in the information warfare community. However, I am deserving of the opportunity to live out another one of my life-long dreams before fulfilling my service requirement." 

Those who support Kinley are outraged by the fact that others in the military have been granted exceptions.

Many saw the football player's request as something reasonable.

Some social media users also pointed to possible racial motives involved in the case.

Some others are defending the Navy.

The debate is still continuing on social media, with some insisting that the athlete doesn't have a right to delay his service.

Kinley, who  has dreamed of playing in the NFL since he was a child, said people are misunderstanding his request.

“The common misconception is that I don’t want to serve and that’s never been the case,” he said, according to NBC Sports. “I just felt like I had the opportunity to do both and I don’t see why I’m not able to.”

Cameron KinleyU.S.-Naval-AcademyUS Navy