TAMPA, Fla. -- It was supposed to be one of the best days of Cameron Kinley's life.
The former Navy football captain and cornerback was graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, becoming the first in his family to graduate as an officer. As president of his 1,084-member class, he would deliver a commencement speech. A political science major, Kinley would also meet Vice President Kamala Harris, the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
Instead, May 28, 2021 felt like the day Kinley's NFL dream died.
Unbeknownst to classmates and teachers who congratulated him, Kinley had been informed three days earlier the Navy denied his request to delay his service.