With the recent news surrounding the U.S. Navy’s denial of Ensign Cameron Kinley’s request to delay commissioning to play professional football, this post will take a look at recent Naval Academy graduates who played in their respective professional leagues. Naval Academy athletes, if in a realistic position to play professional sports, should be given the opportunity, just as many of these athletes were. Hopefully, over time, the Navy and Marine Corps can develop a policy that more clearly addresses this issue so there will be less controversy surrounding Kinley and others seeking a professional sports career with service still in mind.
Billy Hurley III
Hurley was a decorated amateur golfer, rising to 6th in the world and playing in the Walker Cup (the amateur Ryder Cup) in 2005 and served as the captain of the 2004 Plamer Cup team. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2004, Hurley served for five years as a surface warfare officer, including a tour in the Persian Gulf and also teaching economics at the Academy. After service, Hurley had a solid professional career, winning the Quicken Loans National in 2016.
Paul Quessenbery
Quessenbery graduated from the Naval Academy in 2015, and following his time on the Yard, was a Marine for 5 years. During his service commitment, he served as a rifle platoon commander and completed the Infantry Officer Course. Last year, he signed with the New England Patriots, and recently signed with the Houston Texans as a tight end.
Napoleon McCallum
While at Navy, McCallum was a two-time All American running back. After his college career came to a close in 1986, McCallum was drafted by the LA Raiders, though he was still required to serve as a surface warfare officer. He was stationed in Long Beach, California, and was allowed to play until his duty station was changed to Alameda. Following his service, McCallum came back to the Raiders in 1990, and played until he suffered a brutal, career-ending knee injury in 1994. McCallum also was a College Football Hall of Famer and was influential in the move of the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas.
Roger Staubach
Staubach was a star quarterback for Navy in the early 1960s, winning the Heisman trophy in 1963 and leading the Midshipmen to a 9–1 record during the regular season. That year, Navy would go onto play national champion Texas in the Cotton Bowl, though the Mids would end up falling short. After his graduation in 1964, Staubach served in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer, completing a tour in Vietnam. Staubach went on to win two Super Bowls for the Dallas Cowboys as a professional quarterback, garnering him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Phil McConkey
McConkey was an NFL journeyman, playing for five years with four different clubs. After graduating from the Academy in 1979, McConkey fulfilled his service requirement as a helicopter pilot. Following his service, he was a 27-year-old rookie with the NY Giants. He is most well-known for his performance during Super Bowl XXI, in which he caught a 44 yard flea-flicker pass and, later, a deflected touch down pass.
Bob Kuberski
A ‘93 Academy grad, Kuberski served as an ensign for two years following his graduation and selection in the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. Kuberski played in 54 games as a defensive tackle, and was a member of the Super Bowl XXXI–winning Green Bay Packers.
Kyle Eckel
Graduating in 2005, Eckel played fullback at Navy. After a successful career, Eckel wound up with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent. He then spent the remaining five years of his career as a journeyman, however, he was on the Super Bowl XLIV–winning New Orleans Saints roster.
Malcom Perry
Graduating in 2020, Perry played various positions at Navy. However, he is most noted for his stint at quarterback his senior year, where he set an NCAA record for most rushing yards in a single season by a quarterback. Perry led the Midshipmen to a 11–2 record, and a ranking of 16th in the nation. Perry was service assigned to the Marine Corps, but is currently playing in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. He caught a touchdown pass in the final game of his rookie year in Miami.
Joe Cardona
Joe Cardona currently is a long snapper for the New England Patriots, and has been in the league since he graduated in 2015. Cardona has been highly successful in New England, being member of two Super Bowl–winning teams and signing a four-year contract extension in 2018. He also serves as a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve.
Max Lane
Drafted by the Patriots in 1994, Lane played for the New England for seven years, being named to the 1990s Patriot’s all-decade team. Lane started for New England in Super Bowl XXXI.
Joe Bellino
Navy’s only other Heisman winner was Joe Bellino, a multisport athlete at the Academy. While at the Academy, Bellino played baseball and football, and was even offered a contract from the Pittsburgh Pirates following his graduation from high school. As a football player, Bellino was primarily a running back, but while at Navy, he also threw and caught touchdown passes, served as a punter, and returned kick-offs and punts. Bellino graduated in 1961, and following his four-year service in the Navy, transitioned to active reserves while he played for the Boston Patriots. Bellino ended his life with a total of 28 years of service in the Navy and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Keenan Reynolds
At Navy, Keenan Reynolds received national recognition for his performance over his career. Known as the best Navy quarterback during the triple-option era, Reynolds amassed 88 touchdowns and 4,559 rushing yards, both NCAA Division 1 records for a quarterback. After graduating in 2016, Reynolds commissioned into the Navy Reserve as a cryptologic warfare officer, and currently holds the rank of lieutenant (junior grade). Reynolds played in the NFL for the Ravens, Redskins, and Seahawks, and also in the XFL with the Seattle Dragons.
Mitch Harris
Harris graduated from the Naval Academy and commissioned as a surface warfare officer in 2008. Harris served on three deployments in his five-year naval career, and reached the rank of lieutenant. After a prestigious college baseball career at the Naval Academy, Harris was drafted in 2007 by the Braves. However, he waited until the end of his service to sign with St. Louis Cardinals after being drafted in the 13th round of the MLB draft in 2008. Harris pitched in 2015 for the Cardinals, and is no longer in the league.
Joseph Greenspan
Greenspan played soccer for four years at the Naval Academy as a defender. After his graduation in 2015, Greenspan was selected in the second round of the MLS draft by the Colorado Rapids. Greenspan worked out a deal with the Navy to pursue his soccer career. He served one year on active duty and also in the Navy Reserve, and has played for seven different teams throughout his career. He is currently playing for San Diego Loyal in the USL championship league.
David Robinson
“The Admiral,” as he’s known within the basketball world, was, with Staubach, the most successful professional athlete to come from the Naval Academy. Robinson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, as he was a two-time NBA champion, averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game, won two Olympic Gold Medals, was awarded the MVP in 1995, and was a ten-time NBA All Star. Robinson used his dominant 7’1” stature to his advantage as a center, and is known as one of the greatest big men in the history of basketball. For his service, Robinson commissioned into the Civil Engineer Corps, and served two years at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, ending his career as a lieutenant (junior grade). He was the No. 1 pick in the 1987 draft by the San Antonio Spurs, and spent the entirety of his 14-year career with that team.
