jeanpierre

By Christopher Dabe, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
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on May 17, 2016 at 1:44 PM, updated May 17, 2016 at 2:07 PM

Former Air Force tight end Garrett Griffin could need to fulfill a two-year military service obligation before he can join the New Orleans Saints, the Colorado Springs Gazette has reported.

The report said Griffin, an undrafted free agent who reportedly signed with the Saints after a three-day tryout last weekend, could be limited to participating in offseason practices before he can join an NFL team full-time.

The Saints, with six tight ends on the roster, have no shortage of players at that position. But they appear to have liked Griffin (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) enough to give him a longer look. His ability as a long snapper is likely a plus, too.

From the Gazette: "There will still be the issue of at least a two-year military commitment for Griffin, which will begin with time in Wyoming serving as a missile maintenance officer. Past Air Force players to sign with NFL teams have been able to only attend camps by coordinating schedules with available leave time, but none have made an active NFL roster until their commitment was completed."

Griffin told the Kansas City Star last week after a tryout with the Chiefs he had to do a two-year military commitment "no matter what."

The Saints did not include Griffin among a list of signed tryout players Monday. The Air Force acknowledged his signing with a Twitter message Monday.

Griffin caught 41 passes for 678 yards and eight touchdowns over four college seasons.

Source: TE Garrett Griffin has military commitment after Saints tryout, newspaper reports | NOLA.com

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

voodooido

And this is why Army, Navy and Air Force will never again be a threat in college football. Let these kids join the reserves and instead of a 2 year agreement extend it to 6 years. They can fulfill their time in the offseason.

exile

Or just make them fulfill their military commitment first. If you join the military to become an NFL star you have your head screwed on the wrong way. Just my unpopular opinion. I hate the way the NFL tries to rule the world sometimes.

voodooido

Well if they do this first, they may not have the ability to make the team after the 2 years. I would put stipulations stating that any trouble viods the contract and they go straight to active duty. 18,000 a year compared to 400K a year is a big difference. Or just release them from the obligation and make them pay back the tuition.

Rugby Saint II

We don't need to adjust our military just to suit the NFL.

ScottF

this used to happen with BYU

Cruize

The should be able to do their military service after their time in the NFL. At worst, they will be great recruiters.

jeanpierre

Personally Conservative and one who respects traditions, but sometimes these kids accept scholarships to the military academies and then they blossom late and are able to play at a high, professional level...

The military has a long, and sometimes dark, nepotistic history of making accommodations for military graduates...

Hell, George W. Bush bravely defended the skies of Texas by landing a plum reserve role; not that there still isn't danger in taking a fighter jet into the air, but he didn't have the add'l risk that other contemporary fighter pilots faced in combat missions in Vietnam...

And by playing in the NFL, graduates would be excellent role models for the public relations of the military...

We've even pulled our greatest field heroes from active theatres (e.g. Alvin York, Audie Murphy) when there units surely could have used them...

The young man should be allowed to pursue his NFL career, let it run its course, and make adjustments for his service obligations...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...