Buccaneers CB Cameron Kinley Still Hoping Navy Allows Him To Play

Buccaneers undrafted CB Cameron Kinley is still preparing as if he’ll get a shot to play in the NFL this season, even though the U.S. Navy denied his waiver to delay his commission.  

“I’m kind of living a double life where I’m preparing to be an NFL player still just in case things get reversed and I’m also preparing for my career as an officer in the Navy,” Kinley said on Fox News. “I’m kind of living this double life, staying hopeful, staying strong in my faith that things can get turned around.”

Kinley’s case has drawn a fair amount of attention, including from Florida senator Marco Rubio, who wrote a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to intervene. 

This is wrong.

I will be asking @POTUS to intervene so Cameron Kinley can pursue his NFL career before he begins his service commitment.

I also intend to ask the nominee for Secretary of the Navy to commit to this. https://t.co/HFHoYizKTv

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 19, 2021

Greg Auman notes the U.S. armed forces have granted similar waivers to other players in the past, including as recently as last year with Dolphins WR Malcolm Perry, so this decision is a bit surprising. 

“I made the commitment when I signed my contract before my junior year and I’m still willing to honor that commitment,” Kinley added. “I just want to be able to delay my commission to play in the NFL first and be that ambassador for the Navy and help recruit. And after my time in the NFL, go serve as an officer in the Navy. I’m definitely looking forward to that career.”