Cameron Kinley, who was captain of the US Naval Academy’s football team this past year, faced a setback in his athletic dreams this week when the Navy denied his request to delay his military service and play in the NFL according to CNN. 

Kinley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after graduating last month as the Navy’s 2021 class president, CNN reported. The undrafted rookie cornerback, who attended the team’s rookie minicamp two weeks ago, then learned that he is being required to commission in the US Navy as an Ensign.

“I have spent the past week processing my emotions, as it is very difficult to have been this close to achieving a childhood dream and having it taken away from me,” Kinley said.

The Navy’s policy requires graduates to serve in active duty for five years after graduation.

“When students accept admission and continue their education in this program, there is an understanding and acknowledgement that they will upon graduation be commissioned,” Capt. Jereal Dorsey wrote in a statement. “Every Midshipman attends on the same terms and each has the same responsibility to serve. Exceptions to that commitment to serve have been rightfully rare.”

The Obama Administration policy, which allowed some service academy athletes to be placed on reserve status in order to play professional sports, was rescinded when Donald Trump took office. The policy was reversed again in 2019. 

In the past year, four graduates from other service academies have been allowed to forego their service commitment.  

“While I acknowledge that these men are from different branches of the armed services, it puzzles me as to why I am the only person to be denied this opportunity,” Kinley wrote. “I look forward to my career as a naval officer in the information warfare community. However, I am deserving of the opportunity to live out another one of my life-long dreams before fulfilling my service requirement.”