Football Star Passes on NFL to Become a Navy SEAL

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:16:42 -0500

<font color="#555555" face="Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px;">AWESOME!<br><br>Alex Amidon, a senior wide receiver at Boston College, announced that instead of further pursuing a career in the NFL, he will be joining the U.S. military to become a Navy SEAL.</span></font><br><br>http://www.armyreenlistment.com/news-navy-seal-over-nfl.html<br><br><font color="#555555" face="Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px;">Amidon’s choice to forgo a chance at the NFL in order to serve his country is a testament to the young man’s character and where his priorities lie.</span></font><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.armyreenlistment.com/profile.gif"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.armyreenlistment.com/news-navy-seal-over-nfl.html">Football Star Passes Up Chance to Play in NFL to Become a Navy SEAL</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">10 Years Army Strong for Soldiers and Families</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2014 8:33 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:33:42 -0500

Awesome indeed!

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Feb 28 at 2014 8:38 PM

SSG Zachery Mitchell — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:38:49 -0500

There's a lot more to life than being rich and famous, or in this case, some other clown in the NFL. I hope he succeeds in his quest to become a Seal.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Feb 28 at 2014 9:10 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 21:10:51 -0500

Outstanding! Wish him the best and Godspeed.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 2:28 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 02:28:21 -0500

Great read Thanks!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 3:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 03:21:49 -0500

Good for him! Hope it brings him fulfillment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 3:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 03:24:17 -0500

Hell of a choice none the less BUT, from my standpoint of being an ex-college football player (Bearcats Baby!) I think his decision to pursue being a SEAL is actually the more stable and suitable career for his athletic talents...

The NFL is so wishy-washy and even though practice squad players still make 120-350k, your there one day and voted gone the next, called back a week later because someone gets injured and they need you or one of the other 20 guys they just called to be at practice in the next 30mins. and then you get injured and there is nothing there to help you unless you bought health insurance during one of the team camp meetings and your a lost cause to the coaches after your knee is blown out or you tear an ACL... It's just one hell of a dream to try and chase year after year until your lucky enough that someone takes a chance on you and you happen to shine that day... Great choice brother & good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 3:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 03:44:18 -0500

Out freaking standing!!!

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Mar 1 at 2014 3:50 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 03:50:27 -0500

This is a great story. I was reading some comments people have posted over on Facebook about this story. It is amazing how many folks out there across America are calling this young man things like "foolish" or that he is "throwing away a career worth millions" or that he is just plain "dumb" for making this choice. I applaud this young man for having the personal courage and integrity to do what he feels is right and important. I wish him nothing but the best.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 12:44 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:44:09 -0500

Great choice! But if he was good enough at this point of his life, why not pursue the sport? The military will always be there.

Response by MSG Gene Potocki made Mar 1 at 2014 1:47 PM

MSG Gene Potocki — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 13:47:29 -0500

I hope he makes his dream come true. A long road of pain and suffering is in the near future. BUDS is not (stolen from RTB sign at the 5000 area) "For the weak or faint of heart"!!

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 1:52 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 13:52:38 -0500

I am happy that he decided to go with his heart. No matter what path he took I would have supported him. I'm a Bostonian and BC is my favorite college team. I wish you the best Alex. Welcome to my family, the true 1%ers

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 3:20 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 15:20:58 -0500

Congrats to him for his decision to serve our nation. I hope it works out for him.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 1:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:47:55 -0500

When I served in Charlie CO, 4th BSTB, 101st DIV at Ft Campbell, KY I learned that shortly before I got there, they had a Prince from a foreign country that served with them and died in Afghanistan. He wanted nothing more than to come to America and serve in our Army to fight for freedom for everyone in the world. If anyone from my old unit knows who I'm talking about, please post his name here because I cannot remember it. This young man reminds me of the dedication and pride that this Prince had.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 2:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 02:07:53 -0500

Definitely couldn't say I would have done it if I was in his position, but great choice from this young man.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 25 at 2014 6:04 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 06:04:46 -0400

Very honorable, although not a lucrative decision. I wish him better luck than the last. Tillman was truely tragic.

Response by PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith made Nov 6 at 2014 2:22 PM

PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:22:10 -0500

Fair winds and following seas to this young man. I wish him a long, safe, and rewarding career.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 8:38 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 08:38:04 -0500

Huge respect to athletes that pass on millions to try to become something more than themselves and the sports industry. Same with Army Ranger Pat Tillman, may he rest in paradise, and paratrooper Glen Coffee. Respect to all athletes of past and present that make the valiant decision and choose country over sport.

Response by LCpl Stephen Arnold made Apr 14 at 2017 5:21 PM

LCpl Stephen Arnold — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 17:21:45 -0400

Heres another player nobody talks about, Jeremy Staat, who since leaving the NFL for the Marine Corps (and leaving the Corps) has been a HUGE supporter of veteran's causes and tons of charitable stuff in his hometown in CA. He's a stud too. Good friend of Pat Tillman at Arizona State.