Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is calling on President Biden to grant a waiver to allow Naval Academy graduate Cameron Kinley to play in the NFL.
Rubio wrote a letter Sunday asking Biden to grant a waiver to delay Kinley’s service in the military, citing previous administrations that have enacted policies allowing athletes in the armed forces to pursue professional sports careers.
“In years past, the U.S. Department of Defense has issued many waivers to allow athletes to temporarily delay their service to our nation to pursue their professional sports dreams,” Rubio wrote. “Unfortunately, Mr. Kinley seems to be the exception, and without reason.”
Rubio noted in his letter that Kinley participated in Navy’s pro day for the NFL draft and attended rookie minicamp for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had signed Kinley as an undrafted free agent.
“Mr. Kinley is not seeking to terminate his commitment to the Navy. Far from it. He wishes to promote service to our great nation from one of the country’s largest stages. I implore you to right this wrong,” Rubio said.
“Grant Mr. Kinley’s waiver to play in the NFL, and send a message to future academy graduates that the United States is a country where Americans can follow their dreams and be true to their commitment,” Rubio added.
On June 7, the Navy denied the newly commissioned midshipman’s request to delay his active-duty service to play in the NFL for Tampa Bay.
The Hill has reached out to the White House, the NFL, the Navy and the Buccaneers for comment.