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Former Navy receiver takes a pass on military obligation
Jason Tomlinson should be a commissioned officer preparing to begin a Naval career in surface warfare. Instead, the standout football player is still a midshipman and is working at the Naval Station facility on the Severn River.Tomlinson elected not to graduate from the Naval Academy last May, a personal decision that stunned his coaches and fellow players with the football program. By all accounts, Tomlinson was on course - both academically and militarily - to graduate and simply chose not to do so. "I came to realize during my senior year that the military just was not for me. I had been thinking about it for a long time, I prayed about it a lot and I had to do what I felt was right in my heart," Tomlinson said yesterday when contacted by The Capital. Did God tell him that the NFL pays better? And is a lot less dangerous? "I did not think it would be fair to the men I would be serving alongside and leading to go into this with reservations and misgivings. My heart wasn't in it." Deborah Goode, director of media relations at the Naval Academy, said the privacy act prevented her from discussing Tomlinson's situation."We can confirm that a first class midshipman who was a football player has submitted a voluntary resignation. The case is being reviewed for final disposition," said Goode, who referred all further questions to the Navy Office of Information at the Pentagon. Lt. Candice Tresch, a Navy spokesperson at the Pentagon, said the options available to a Naval Academy midshipman who voluntarily does not graduate are limited. According to numerous sources, Tomlinson could be required to repay the cost of his education (approximately $140,000) or to serve in the fleet as an enlisted man. Tomlinson, a native of Arlington, Texas, was a key figure in the resurgence of the Navy football program. The sleek 6-foot-1, 208-pound wide receiver saw significant playing time as a plebe in 2003 when Navy snapped a string of five straight losing seasons by posting an 8-5 record and earning a berth to the Houston Bowl. He was then a three-year starter from 2004-2006 when Navy compiled a 27-10 record and made three more postseason appearances. The Midshipmen never lost to service academy rivals Army and Air Force during Tomlinson's career. He led Navy in receiving each of his last three seasons and completed his career with 67 catches for 1,078 yards. He ranks 10th all-time at Navy in receiving yards and added 511 yards as the team's primary punt returner the past four years. Tomlinson has said many times that he hoped to attend Stanford along with Kennedale High teammate Landon Johnson. However, Stanford never offered a scholarship and the youngster's desire to play Division I football led him to the Naval Academy. It seemed a logical choice since Tomlinson had two older brothers who enlisted in the Navy. He once joked that upon graduation he would outrank Dwight and Machell Tomlinson. Over the course of his career, Tomlinson was known as a quiet and humble player who always displayed confidence and character and led by example. He spoke often of his love for drawing and had a keen sense of humor that was often only seen by close friends. Navy head coach Paul Johnson said yesterday he was aware that Tomlinson did not graduate in May and that he tried to talk the player out of that decision."I talked with Jason at length, but ultimately the final decision was his," Johnson said. Tomlinson regularly attended bible study at the Naval Academy along with Sunday services at Mariners' Church, both of which are directed by Pastor Bill McKinney. Sources said McKinney and several football teammates also tried to convince Tomlinson to go forward with graduation. Posted by: tu3031 2007-08-30 |
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