Boston College Eagles wide receiver Alex Amidon has decided to pass up a shot at a lucrative NFL career to focus on his dreams of becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL.
His shock announcement was made during a school football recruitment dinner in Boston Wednesday night, according to
BC Interruption, a sports blog.
"Through making this decision, Amidon is truly showing that he is a man for others, and cares so deeply about this community and country," the blog said.
"The 2012 All-ACC wide receiver most likely would have found a home in the NFL," BC Interruption added. "The fact that Amidon is willing to give everything he has is truly awe-inspiring."
Amidon, a 22-year-old senior from Greenfield, Mass., set the BC school record for the most receiving yards and receptions in 2012, when he was ranked 11th in the country for receiving yards. He also holds the school record for most career receptions, beating the old mark with a catch in his final game.
London-born Amidon was a first-round All-ACC pick in 2012 and was expected to be a third-day pick during the NFL draft in May,
NFL.com reported.
Amidon
told the Springfield Republican in January that he was undecided about pursuing an NFL career.
"Right now I'm looking forward to graduating in June with a degree in English and enjoying my last semester in college," he said.
His decision to join the military rather than a lucrative career in pro football immediately brought to mind Pat Tillman, the Arizona Cardinals safety who gave up football and an annual salary of $512,000, to join the elite Army Rangers after the 9/11 attacks.
Tillman was deployed to Afghanistan but was killed in a friendly fire incident in 2004.
BC Interruption said that Amidon would be ideally suited to a career as a SEAL.
"If you've ever known a SEAL, or even seen a show about them, you know that becoming one is an incredibly difficult experience. The SEALs push potential recruits' body and minds to the limit and the success rate is very small. However, Amidon has persevered through tough situations before," the blog said.
"The SEALs motto is 'Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit,' which sounds like Alex Amidon in a nutshell."
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