Yes We Can!

So much has been made about the controversy at the top of the College Football rankings. Since the No 1. and No 2. ranked teams are automatically awarded bids to the National Championship Game (and those rankings are determined by a computer) it hasn't been received as the fairest way to solve a season. Every year we have this argument and every year more and more people who don't understand the system start marching on City Hall that there should be a play-off system.

As this year draws to a close we have the undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide sitting atop the rankings with a slew of one-loss teams following, all crying about not getting a chance to play for a national title. Last year Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops complained to every media outlet he could find about the atrocity that is the BCS rankings. This year, with his Sooners ranked No. 2 by the computers (even though they lost to the team ranked directly below them, Texas, who also only has one loss) Stoops has been quieter than Notre Dame's offense.

Now I can sit back and listen to all the sports talk shows debate the need for a play-off system all day long, but I was taken aback when the President-Elect of the United States, Barack Obama said during an interview that he would "throw his weight around" in order to get a play-off implemented during his stay in the Oval Office. I thought the President had duties like running the country and being Commander-in-Chief. I had to read the Declaration of Independence twice but I did actually find the clause where our Forefathers wanted to implement a play-off system and that's why we were breaking away from England.

How about instead of worrying about something that is merely providing Las Vegas with more gambling revenue you worry about something that makes a difference in young men and women's lives. In March of this year the United States Army implemented the Alternate Service Option to allow exceptional athletes in their program to avoid their mandatory two years of active duty and go directly to the pros. The program stipulates that cadets serving two years in the professional ranks of sports could serve six years of reserve time instead.

Citing this rule, the Detroit Lions drafted Army defensive stud Caleb Campbell in the seventh round of the NFL Draft this past April. It provided for a feel good story as Campbell walked down the runway at Radio City Music Hall in New York City to thousands of fans screaming, "USA, USA" at the top of their lungs. Campbell did a quick interview with ESPN who quickly got Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli on the phone. Marinelli, a Veteran of Vietnam, told Campbell to "be in shape and ready to tackle" when he reported to camp.

Then, on the eve of the day Campbell was scheduled to report to Lions Training Camp, the Department of Defense reversed the ruling, saying Campbell would need to serve two active years before being eligible to return to the NFL. They claimed the Alternate Service Option was unfair to Campbell's classmates and those in the Navy and Air Force who did not have the option of playing in the NFL directly and avoiding the perils of war in Iraq.

I can't think of a more egregious act. At least honor the commitment you made allowing Campbell to pursue his dream, just as he honored his commitment to serve his country thus far. If the rule is unfair, then abolish it from this point forward, but to retroactively take away Campbell's shot at the pros is disgraceful.

If President Obama really wants to make a splash, he should investigate this scenario and re-implement the Alternate Service Option. For Campbell, his shot is likely over as the Lions season nears completion but future cadets can benefit from this. America prides itself on learning from its mistakes and correcting them in the future. Could Obama 'throw his weight around' and get this taken care of? Yes He Can! And yes he should.