Rookie cornerback Cameron Kinley's request to delay his U.S. Navy commission to play in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been denied.
Kinley is being required by the Navy to commission as an ensign and is not permitted to appeal the decision, which was not explained, Divine Sports and Entertainment, which represents Kinley, said in a statement.
Kinley, a team captain at Navy and class president, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers and participated in the team's rookie minicamp, with the Navy's permission.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, Kinley said that he has "spent the past week processing my emotions, as it is very difficult to have been this close to achieving a childhood dream and having it taken away from me.