Written by Ryan Mink at Ravens.com
Keenan Reynolds has received the approval he’s been waiting for.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus told the “Dan Patrick Show” this morning that Reynolds has been given permission to play full-time in the NFL this season.
Reynolds, the Ravens’ sixth-round wide receiver/returner, will begin fulfilling his military obligation in the Navy Reserves.
The Navy requires graduates to immediately serve five years of active duty after graduation, but certain accommodations or exceptions can be made depending on a midshipman’s career.
The Navy Reserve’s mission statement is “to provide strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps team and Joint forces, in times of peace or war.”
Details of what Reynolds will specifically do in the Reserves is unknown at this time.
Not only was Reynolds a record-breaking quarterback at Navy, but he was also held in extremely high regard for his character off the field. And that’s something Mabus wants Reynolds to have the opportunity to display on the NFL’s grand stage.
“When we have guys coming out of the Naval Academy who go on and play professional sports, or go on and do other things that are high profile, it gives us a chance to show who we are and show the type of people that we attract and recruit,” Mabus said last week.
“I can’t think of a better ambassador for the United States Navy or for the United States military than Keenan Reynolds.”
Mabus also said that second-year Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona has also been given permission to play in the NFL this season, which may be a good indication that Reynolds will be available to the Ravens beyond 2016.
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