Pentagon: Academy athletes must serve before going pro
CENTENNIAL, COLO. >> The U.S. Defense Department has rescinded its 2016 policy allowing military service academy athletes to go straight to the pros upon graduation.
Athletes such as Air Force wide receiver Jalen Robinette, the NCAA’s leader in yards per catch in 2016, will have to serve two years of active duty before applying for reserve status to pursue a career in professional sports.
“Our military academies exist to develop future officers who enhance the readiness and the lethality of our military services. Graduates enjoy the extraordinary benefit of a military academy education at taxpayer expense. Therefore, upon graduation, officers will serve as military officers for their minimum commitment of two years,” Pentagon chief spokesman Dana W. White said Monday in a statement.
White added that the Defense Department “has a long history of officer athletes who served their nation before going to the pros including Roger Staubach, Chad Hennings and David Robinson.”
Green Bay Packers release RBs Michael, Jackson
GREEN BAY, WIS. >> The Green Bay Packers released running backs Don Jackson and Christine Michael on Monday.
Michael played in nine for the Packers after claimed off waivers from games being the Seattle Seahawks last November, including three playoff games. Jackson was an undrafted free agent signed last May. He appeared in three games with one start before being placed on injured reserve Nov. 16.
Georgia’s Mauger among Falcons’ 21 undrafted free agents
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. >> The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with 21 undrafted free agents, including Georgia safety Quincy Mauger.
Mauger had seven interceptions at Georgia, including two in 2016.
The Falcons also agreed to terms with South Carolina linebacker Darius English and Auburn guard Robert Leff.
The list includes wide receivers Deante Burton of Kansas State, Reginald Davis III of Texas Tech and Josh Magee of South Alabama.
Other offensive players who will be in the Falcons’ rookie camp are Penn quarterback Alek Torgersen, Citadel fullback Tyler Renew, San Diego State offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill, Southern Mississippi tackle Wil Freeman, Portland State center Cam Keizur and Connecticut tackle Andreas Knappe.
Ex-Chiefs star Jamaal Charles to visit Broncos
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. >> Jamaal Charles is scheduled to visit with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday.
If his surgically repaired right knee checks out, one of the greatest players in the Kansas City Chiefs’ history could be joining their fierce divisional rival.
“He’s had a great career with some setbacks due to injury, so we’ll see where he is,” GM John Elway told KOA-News Radio in Denver.
Charles ran for 7,260 yards and 43 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Chiefs, finishing as the franchise’s career rushing leader. He also had 20 touchdown catches. But a career that looked as if it would land Charles in the Hall of Fame was derailed the last few years by injuries that cut short several seasons in his prime.
He tore his left ACL while taking an awkward step out of bounds in Detroit in 2011.