Caleb Campbell, Chad Hall make long-awaited NFL debuts this weekend
August 13th, 2010 | Air Force Army Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Barring some unforeseen disaster, Army 1st Lt. Caleb Campbell will play his first NFL game when he runs out onto the field Saturday for the Detroit Lion’s first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a huge step for a guy that spent the last two years on active duty in the Army and far, far away from the world of professional football.
Campbell did a few interviews recently where he said he kept his distance by choice. While the former 7th-round draft pick had no say in his NFL dream being abruptly put on hold by the Army in June 2008, Campbell did make it a point to not even attend an NFL game while on active duty.
““I had a lot of opportunities over the last two years to go to NFL games, and I kind of just sat back and said, ‘You know, I’m not doing it yet. I’m holding onto this dream,’” Campbell told the Detroit Free Press. “It’s another story within my bigger story, I guess, with what’s gone on in my life. But it’s definitely going to be a milestone in my life running out onto an NFL field.”
Campbell is expected to get playing time on special teams and at backup linebacker against Pittsburgh. He’s admitted the that the transition from safety to linebacker has been tough. Coupled with the fact that he’s learning a new position, he’s doing so while playing at the highest level of the sport after two years away from the game.
“I came back physically prepared, but mentally it’s been an absolute challenge,” Campbell told the Free Press.
Hall ready “to shine”
The only other person at an NFL training camp who can truly understand what Campbell is going through is Air Force Lt. Chad Hall.
Hall, a 2008 graduate of the Air Force Academy who starred as a running back and kick returner for the Falcons, has also been out of football since 2008 while serving on active duty. He managed to earn a slot at the Philadelphia Eagles camp, and tonight he makes his NFL debut.
It’s been a long time coming, but like Campbell, Hall can’t wait to finally suit up in the NFL.
“2.5 yrs since my last time under the lights, can’t wait, time to shine!” Hall said on Friday morning on Twitter.
Despite being considered a long-shot to make the 53-man roster, the 5-foot-7 Hall has managed to impress in camp. He’s practiced at both receiver and running back, and is also expected to get a chance to return punts tonight.
Two days ago Hall made the “Play of the Day” at practice, according to PhillyBurbs.com. Hall managed to snag a long pass that had appeared to be overthrown by reaching out and grabbing it with one hand, keeping his feet, and then running away from the defensive back covering him.
Fans can watch Hall and the Eagles tonight on the NFL Network, which will air the Eagles-Jaguars game at 10:30 ET.
Garland expected to get lots of PT
The only other service academy graduate currently on an NFL roster is 2nd Lt. Ben Garland, a 2010 graduate of the Air Force Academy. Garland is using leave to participate in Denver Broncos training camp, but will be reporting to his first active-duty assignment later this month.
While Garland’s commitment means he has no chance of making the active roster, the Broncos do have the option of putting him on the military/reserve list to keep his rights. According to head coach Josh McDaniels, the team plans on giving Garland a lot of playing time Sunday night against Cincinnati to evaluate him further.
Garland, who qualified for a slot at pilot training school at Laughlin Air Force Base, has not decided if he will accept that position, which comes with a longer service commitment. If he decides not to become a pilot, Garland would be able to apply for early release in two years, just like Hall and Campbell did.
The Denver-Cincinnati game will be shown live on NFL Network on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Move over, Maverick, ‘Romo’s Bitch’ has lost that loving feeling
August 9th, 2010 | After Action Navy | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Ensign Steve Crowston didn't take too kindly to the call sign "Romo's Bitch," which was bestowed upon him. (Navy Times photo).
UPDATED: Crowston is not a pilot. After Action regrets the error. The copy in this post has been changed to reflect that.
Not everyone ends up with a sexy Hollywood call sign like Maverick or Goose. Ensign Steve “Romo’s Bitch” Crowston is one of those Navy officers.
Sailors in Strike Fighter Squadron 136 first suggested “Fagmeister” and “Gay Boy” as potential call signs for Crowston, who was clearly not well-liked within the squadron. Worried those call signs might be too offensive (you think?) they settled on “Romo’s Bitch,” referring to Tony Romo, the quarterback of Crowston’s favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.
“I was like, wait a minute? What the hell? You think I’m gay? What a way to tell me that,” Crowston said of his reaction after his call sign was announced before the entire squadron last year.
Navy Times staff writer Andrew Tilghman stumbled across this fodder for Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles fan’s message boards after Crowston complained about the name to the Naval Inspector General’s office calling it “workplace harassment.”
Read the entire story by Tilghman where he breaks down other memorable call signs such as Lt. Chuck “Dingle” Berry and Lt. Tom “Butts” Tench here.
Academy grads tweet from NFL training camps
July 30th, 2010 | Air Force Army Football | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Caleb Campbell receives his diploma at his graduation from West Point. (AP photo)
You can follow Army Lt. Caleb Campbell and Air Force Lt. Chad Hall on Twitter as they both try to make NFL rosters this summer after two years away from football. Cambpell (@LT_Campbell53) and Hall (@chadhall16) started training camp this week with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles respectively.
Both are long shots to make the roster, but have each earned praise from their teams and surprised outside observers with their talent.
Hall, a standout wide receiver/running back/kick returner at the Air Force Academy, is trying to make the Eagles as both a receiver and a third down running back. His senior year, 2007, he was named Mountain West offensive player of the year after he racked up 2,683 all-purpose yards and scored 16 touchdowns.
Air Force Lt. Chad Hall makes a catch at Eagles training camp.
Campbell, a safety at West Point, will try earn a roster spot as a linebacker with the Lions. He was the touchstone for the debate over whether academy grads should be allowed to play on pro teams after the Lions drafted him in the 7th round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Hall has provided a blow by blow of his time in training camp with gems like: “Practice #3 was great, it was a tough morning and hard to get going, once I got between the lines it was on. Thrown to a lot & caught em all.” Alright, so Hall might not have the entertaining flair that @OGOchocinco might, but it gives a good inside look at what their days are like.
Hall’s whirlwind week ends with a pro contract
March 12th, 2010 | Air Force Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Chad Hall fights for yards during Air Force's win over Notre Dame his senior season in 2007. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Air Force 2nd Lt. Chad Hall took a trip from Hill Air Force Base to the University of Utah on Monday, where along with current and former Utah football players, he auditioned in front of NFL scouts at the university’s Pro Day combine.
It was a day for which the 2008 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate had been preparing for two years, sometimes working out after 12-hour days and often making the 40-minute drive to the university five or six times a week during the winter months in order to use indoor facilities there.
“It was work and then train and then sleep,” Hall said in an interview with After Action on Friday. “I had to give up my social life for a bit.”
When he got a call from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, it confirmed Hall’s feeling that he’d performed well at the combine. The Eagles called him again Tuesday, and Wednesday he was on a flight to Philadelphia. Hall worked out for the Eagles again Thursday, and then was offered a three-year contract with the team to be their newest kick returner/wide receiver.
He then did an interview for the Eagles’ Web site, went to the airport and flew back to Utah.
Exhausting?
“A little bit, you could say that,” Hall said.
There won’t be much letup for Hall after these frantic five days. He’s now in the process of getting his early release from active duty, which he’s allowed to apply for after serving 24 months of his commitment, according to official Defense Department policy. Hall is unsure how long the process will take, and for now he’s remains maintenance officer for the 421st Fighter Squadron, which is part of 388th Fighter Wing at Hill.
According to DoD policy, if a service member is granted early release from active duty, he will serve in the Reserve for double the time of his remaining active duty obligation, which would be six years for Hall. Service members granted early release are also subject to repay the cost of their educational benefits, which is prorated based on the amount of active-duty time served.
Hall said he’s received plenty of congratulations and support from his fellow airmen at Hill, but that it’s not easy to face leaving them.
“They’re excited for me. They also don’t want to lose me. It’s a tough situation,” Hall said. “I’ve been here for two years and made a lot of close friends. I’ve met a bunch of great men and women.”
Eagles sign former Air Force star Chad Hall
March 11th, 2010 | Air Force Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Chad Hall, left, avoids Notre Dame linebacker Brian Smith during the Falcons' win in South Bend in Nov. 2007. Hall rushed for 149 yards and had 31 receiving yards in the game. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Former Air Force Academy running back/receiver Chad Hall signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles today.
Hall was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, when he rushed for 1,478 yards and caught 50 passes for 524 yards. That season he was the only player in the nation to lead his team in rushing, receiving and return yards.
According to the AP article, Hall has been serving at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for the past two years.