Caleb Campbell playing for more than his paycheck

Posted by James Schmehl | MLive.com July 03, 2008 10:32AM

Caleb Campbell's NFL adventure is officially underway.
Campbell - the Detroit Lions' seventh-round draft pick - was one of 252 first-year players in California this week participating in the 2008 NFL Rookie Symposium - designed to teach rookies issues such as finances, family matters, keys to NFL success and life after football.

On Monday, Campbell teamed up with other NFL rookies for a game of flag football with more than 200 children from Camp Pendleton - the largest West Coast expeditionary training facility in the Marine Corps.

San Diego Union Tribune, July 3: "Being part of the military and knowing people overseas, I'm really grateful to be" connecting with the Camp Pendleton children, Campbell said.
Receiving the opportunity to participate in the NFL's symposium might mean more to Campbell than most of the other 251 rookies.

It might mean his life.

The former Army safety was spared having to serve in Iraq after he was selected by the Lions with the 208th overall pick in the final round.

But the 6-foot-2, 230 pound linebacker's impending tour of duty might not be dismissed - just yet. First and foremost, he must make Detroit's roster.

If he makes the Lions roster, Campbell said, he'll be allowed to serve part time as a recruiter in Detroit while he plays football. After two years, he'll have to choose between a career in the Army and the NFL.