In an about-face, the Department of Defense approved the request of cornerback Cameron Kinley to delay his Navy commission so he could play in the N.F.L., concluding a weekslong saga in which Kinley had initially been denied the chance to pursue a pro football career. The defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, announced that Kinley would be enlisted in the Inactive Ready Reserve and be expected to serve in the Navy after his time in the N.F.L. “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,” Austin said in a statement. Naval Academy, had applied to delay his five-year service commitment after graduating this spring. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the reigning Super Bowl champions, as an undrafted free agent and attended rookie minicamp in May.

Source: New York Times July 07, 2021 20:03 UTC