Navy Decides to Let McCallum Play for Raiders

The Navy, in a departure from tradition, has authorized Napoleon McCallum, who starred as a running back for the Naval Academy, to play pro football with the Los Angeles Raiders.

McCallum was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of April’s National Football League draft, even though he faced a minimum five-year military commitment. He is now an ensign serving on the supply ship Peleliu, which is being overhauled in Long Beach, and has been training with the Raiders while on leave.

Previous Navy standouts, such as Roger Staubach, had to complete five years of active duty before joining the pro football ranks.

The decision will also apply to Marine 1st Lt. Eddie Meyers, another Annapolis graduate, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, and to Annapolis basketball standout David Robinson, when he graduates in 1987.