DirtDart Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 (edited) ok....athletes that are on full ride scholarships....do they need to take student loans? No, they don't. But they know dam well that the sport they received a full ride from is their job, and academics come second. Same thing with a Military commitment. I know, they Army paid off my student loans, and in turn I owed them six years. That's how it goes. Don't sign the contract if you can't stand by the commitment. I am not arguing the right, or wrong. Just arguing the fact that he knew the fine print when he took advantage of the GOV education being provided. If memory serves me, the Pats have a player from the Naval Academy who serves his commitment in the off-season You are correct. I am not sure how that time adds up. The time served is different between the reserves, Nation Guard, and Active Duty. If you are not full time you receive credit for time served, i.e. one weekend a month counts as X amount of credits towards days. Edited May 13, 2017 by DirtDart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Arnold Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 Joe Buscaglia said yesterday that Robinette struggled in the first practice. No separation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 Joe Buscaglia said yesterday that Robinette struggled in the first practice. No separation. I also thought it was interesting that the pats passed  Its not like they are loaded at WR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That's No Moon Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 I have to say, as much as I'd like to see this guy in a Bills uniform this fall, this leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. When he signed up for his free ride to the Air Force Academy (a great school, by the way), he knew he was signing up for a (minimum) two-year service commitment after graduation. Now he wants to be let out of that commitment because he's got better things to do with his time. What about the AFA grad who gets an awesome offer to go work for Goldman Sachs after graduation? Does they let him out of his commitment? What about a female AFA grad who wants to try out for the Olympics? Do they let her out? Doesn't seem right to me... They'd solve the problem if they'd eliminate football at the academies. Of course then no Army/Navy game so that won't be happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Doug Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 These athletes have to complete all of their studies and military training, same as every other cadet. The education is tough enough already and then sports on top of that...these are some outstanding young Americans. No doubt they have to complete their studies. So does every student athlete regardless of university, private or public. The problem arises when they are specifically recruited for their football team, but then are not allowed to pursue the NFL if they are drafted. It'll be better is they just cease recruiting for sports and try to cobble together a team with what they have. Nobody is being deceived then. They'd solve the problem if they'd eliminate football at the academies. Of course then no Army/Navy game so that won't be happening. Which would be a great solution. Why US military academies have D1 football teams is lost on me. Let them form their teams with players who see themselves as military recruits. If memory serves me, the Pats have a player from the Naval Academy who serves his commitment in the off-season I'm sure Marcia or Hoodie asked for preferential treatment and he received it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Returntoglory Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 I have to say, as much as I'd like to see this guy in a Bills uniform this fall, this leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. When he signed up for his free ride to the Air Force Academy (a great school, by the way), he knew he was signing up for a (minimum) two-year service commitment after graduation. Now he wants to be let out of that commitment because he's got better things to do with his time. What about the AFA grad who gets an awesome offer to go work for Goldman Sachs after graduation? Does they let him out of his commitment? What about a female AFA grad who wants to try out for the Olympics? Do they let her out? Doesn't seem right to me... As a former USAF member I agree 100% with this poster. This should be a non issue. You were accepted into one of the top AND hardest institutions in the country and you now have an active duty obligation to fulfill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderingsquid Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 (edited) Dude is REALLY physical. Would be clutch if a few things go his way. Â 0:58 Â Edited May 14, 2017 by thunderingsquid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I think they should make them serve their 2 years in the academies but they should be allowed to defer it if they have an opportunity to go pro. Honestly it hurts their recruiting otherwise. Â Kids in ROTC programs (and I think the academies) are routinely allowed to defer for professional school. As long as he serves his commitment at some point, I don't understand why the NFL should be held different. Yeah, law or med school or systems engineering or whatever may more directly serve needs in the service, but an athlete from a service academy in the NFL is built-in publicity and recruiting you can't buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 (edited) I have to say, as much as I'd like to see this guy in a Bills uniform this fall, this leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. When he signed up for his free ride to the Air Force Academy (a great school, by the way), he knew he was signing up for a (minimum) two-year service commitment after graduation. Now he wants to be let out of that commitment because he's got better things to do with his time. What about the AFA grad who gets an awesome offer to go work for Goldman Sachs after graduation? Does they let him out of his commitment? What about a female AFA grad who wants to try out for the Olympics? Do they let her out? Doesn't seem right to me... Â Mannc, I get where you're coming from, but historically service academy players who are drafted by pro sports teams have been allowed to defer or serve as reserves. So that was likely his expectation when he signed up for AFA, based on what has been allowed to happen vs. him knowing he'd have to serve right away when he signed. Â I don't know specifically about the academies, but I had a bunch of friends in ROTC in college and they were all allowed to defer for professional school provided it was in a program that would benefit the service. I think you can make a pretty cogent argument that an academy graduate playing a pro sport benefits the service by PR and for recruiting. Â I don't think you can make a similar cogent argument for the benefit of working at Goldman Sachs. Â There's an AF junior who made the summer Olympics team in rifle, and was allowed to compete (presumably got some kind of arrangement for training he'd miss). Here's an article about military athletes competing in Olympics. It seems to be supported. Some of them were granted "extended leave of absence" to train. Others presumably their training was more compatible with military service. Edited May 15, 2017 by Hapless Bills Fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I also thought it was interesting that the pats passed  Its not like they are loaded at WR Cooks, Edelman, Mitchell, Amendola and Hogan.  Maybe you were being sarcastic and I missed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Cooks, Edelman, Mitchell, Amendola and Hogan. Â Maybe you were being sarcastic and I missed it. Yep, the Pats (unfortunately) are LOADED at WR. Cooks is going to be a monster there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Yep, the Pats (unfortunately) are LOADED at WR. Cooks is going to be a monster there. Â Cooks, Edelman, Mitchell, Amendola and Hogan. Â Maybe you were being sarcastic and I missed it. Yes....where was my sarcasm button Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitewalkerInPhilly Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 From what I read, deferment was a thing right up until this season. It makes sense. Yes, the Air Force doesn't gain a member on active duty, but they gain a ton of free publicity. The NFL gets a huge story out of it, especially with their military appreciation stunts. Â Then, once the deferment is over the AF still gets their guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgotBILLStopay Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 As a former USAF member I agree 100% with this poster. This should be a non issue. You were accepted into one of the top AND hardest institutions in the country and you now have an active duty obligation to fulfill. Â This was my initial sentiment as well. However, I have had a slight change of heart. Clearly he can make a bigger difference on the football field than in military service. That said a commitment is a commitment. The solution should be to offer a way out. The tuition + living at the top colleges in the country runs at about 0.25 million for 4 years. Why not offer the graduates a choice to be let out of the commitment if they can make good on that (or some number close to that)? And have a consistent policy - so if someone wants to go to Goldman Sachs - they have the same option. Â This way - the academies can still attract the top talent in their football programs, graduates still have all options and get a chance to go where they can make the biggest difference and (shamelessly) Da Bills get to have another option at WR:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luxy312 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 This is a bait and switch situation. When Robinette started his education, he did agree to a 2-year service following graduation. However, at that time, the rules in place allowed him to defer if he got the opportunity to go pro. Just last year, the Department of Defense changed the rules to prohibit that deferral. This is not a situation where he's trying to eliminate his service, but simply delay it. I think he'll win this appeal based on the merits of his case. I don't know how the DOD gets away with arbitrary rules changes, that immediately bind these young men into a potential situation that they didn't intend to sign up for. There is zero doubt in my mind that 2 years of service immediately would end his potential NFL career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 This is a bait and switch situation. When Robinette started his education, he did agree to a 2-year service following graduation. However, at that time, the rules in place allowed him to defer if he got the opportunity to go pro. Just last year, the Department of Defense changed the rules to prohibit that deferral. This is not a situation where he's trying to eliminate his service, but simply delay it. I think he'll win this appeal based on the merits of his case. I don't know how the DOD gets away with arbitrary rules changes, that immediately bind these young men into a potential situation that they didn't intend to sign up for. There is zero doubt in my mind that 2 years of service immediately would end his potential NFL career. ...so why shouldn't he be grandfathered in under the old rule as an existing Academy member?........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luxy312 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 ...so why shouldn't he be grandfathered in under the old rule as an existing Academy member?........ Â Exactly. That's what I think will happen really. How would this be any different than the DOD saying that instead of 2 years that now you have to serve 4? I can't fathom how they could get away with changing the rules at the end. Robinette has to have some right of refusal, I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearwater cadet Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 He was invited, he is part of the 90 man roster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cripple Creek Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 (edited) ok....athletes that are on full ride scholarships....do they need to take student loans? He signed a contract with the Air Force. A bit stronger than a letter of intent. Edited May 15, 2017 by Cripple Creek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndirish1978 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 All of this is moot if he's not getting separation anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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