Buccaneers rookie cornerback Cameron Kinley will get a chance to pursue his NFL career, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday afternoon.
Kinley tweeted a statement upon receiving the news, saying he was “extremely appreciative” of Secretary Austin’s decision and that he is “excited to represent our fine military in the National Football League.”
Kinley, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was previously denied his request to defer his service by Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Harker. He was also denied a chance to appeal and was not given a reason why.