Boston College's Alex Amidon Giving Up NFL Career to Become Navy SEAL
Boston College's Alex Amidon may give up a career in the NFL for an opportunity with the elite Navy SEAL team. Amidon is Boston College's all-time leading receiver and was likely to be chosen for a career in the NFL after graduation, but the senior is hoping for something even fewer people have ever achieved.
"To be honest, I never really gave the records much thought during the season and I still haven't," Amidon told The Republican during an interview. "Perhaps a little further down the line, I'll reflect on them and what it all means, but I'm not at that point yet. Right now I'm looking forward to graduating in June with a degree in English and enjoying my last semester in college."
According to BC Interruption, a Boston College website, Amidon made the announcement to join the Navy during a Gridiron Club meeting. His decision has brought a lot of support from fans and many who didn't even know who he was before the announcement. Twitter is filled with posts of support and amazement that someone so young would give up a lucrative NFL career in order to serve his country.
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Of course, comparisons are being made between Amidon and former NFL player Pat Tillman, who tragically lost his life while serving in the Army. Tillman walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals after the September 11, 2001 attacks. His death in 2004 stunned millions and was surrounded by controversy after it was revealed that he may have been killed by "friendly fire," meaning he was killed by one of his own soldiers.
Tillman was awarded a Silver Star for valor after his death, but friends and family were left uncomforted by the accommodation and want answers about his death.
"I play football," Tillman told NFL Films after the September 11 attacks. "It just seems so unimportant compared to everything that has taken place. A lot of my family has gone and fought wars, and I really haven't done a damn thing."
Now it appears another young man is ready to exchange his football uniform for that of a serviceman, and hopefully he will succeed.
