Ens. McCallum and the Raiders

American taxpayers, not the NFL, paid for McCallum’s education at a prestigious institution. If McCallum has “the right stuff” he will fulfill his obligation to them and serve as a full-time Navy officer. Roger Staubach did and still became a legend in the NFL.

Navy Secretary John Lehman shows poor judgment if he somehow thinks that having McCallum with the Raiders will be good PR for the Navy. It will just mean that other athletes at our service academies can rightly expect a free ride to the pros.

Besides that, the question must arise! If McCallum’s commanding officer gives him an order, will it have to be cleared first through Tom Flores or McCallum’s agent?

TED BAGLIN

Long Beach