Lions offer contract to former Army safety - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Lions offer contract to former Army safety

First Lt. Caleb Campbell might get a shot to play for the Detroit Lions, after all. He worked out for the team earlier in the week and has been offered a contract, according to goblackknights.com.

The Lions drafted Campbell in the seventh round out of West Point in 2008, hoping the college safety could play linebacker and special teams. Then-coach Rod Marinelli was an Army veteran. Then-president Matt Millen’s son Marcus had played with Campbell.

Campbell was the first Army player drafted since 1997, when Green Bay took quarterback Ronnie McAda with the final pick (240th overall). But just before training camp, Campbell was ordered to military duty instead. The Army had revised the policy that would have allowed Campbell to play pro football while on active duty.

The Lions invited Campbell for a private workout last week. Campbell arrived Monday night, then went through a physical and workout Tuesday. He worked with coach Jim Schwartz, linebackers coach Matt Burke and special teams coach Danny Crossman. He told goblackknights.com that he weighed 237 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds.

Campbell returned to Fort Sill in Oklahoma on Tuesday night. He got good news tonight.

“My agent called and said that he was thinking that we are going to get a contract, he wasn't certain, but that he thought one would be coming,” Campbell told goblackknights.com today. “He called me this morning and told me that he had a contract sitting on his desk for me from the Lions. I just found this morning, it's been a heck of a day.”

Lions spokesman Bill Keenist declined to comment. The team generally does not confirm a roster addition until the player has signed the contract.

Details concerning Campbell’s military commitment are still being ironed out.

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