NFL player called to active duty

On Dec. 6, 2008, I covered the annual Army-Navy Commander-in-Chief's football game in Philadelphia, in which running backs Eric Kettani and Shun White led the Navy Midshipmen to a 34-0 shut out of the Black Knights.

Eric Kettani

Both players were signed by the New England Patriots as undrafted free agents on May 4, 2009. But earlier today, it was reported by the New England Sports Network that Kettani, who is currently on the Patriots practice squad, would be returning to active duty on the USS Klakring frigate in Jacksonville, Fla.

I'm one for answering the call to serve, especially when you signed up for it. But I'd love to see Kettani get a shot at a career in the NFL. Running backs have such a short lifespan in the NFL and having already served two years of active duty, Kettani's window of capitalizing on his potential is closing. I'm not saying he's the next great running back, but if he was good enough to get signed by a team, he should get a chance to show his worth.

What do you think? Should he get a pass to compete from the Navy or should he honor the call to serve his country? Share your comments.

You can read my coverage of the 2008 Army-Navy game, White, Kettani carry Navy to seventh-straight win over Army for the Quantico Sentry.