Army QB, Trent Steelman, signs with Baltimore Ravens

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Trent Steelman discusses signing as undrafted free agent with Baltimore Ravens

APRIL 27, 2013
Just got off the phone with Army quarterback and Bowling Green High School graduate Trent Steelman, who signed Saturday as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelman said the Ravens are bringing him in as a slot receiver, with his backup position as safety. Despite playing quarterback in college, he said he’s coming in with an “open mind.”
Steelman will have Army service obligations, but a rule change in 2008 allows athletes the ability to pursue their professional careers while also still working for the Army in some capacity. If they are still in professional sports after two years, they have more options for how to approach their remaining years of service.
Here are Steelman’s comments:
TRENT STEELMAN
On signing with the Ravens: “It’s a great honor, and it’s something I’ve been dreaming of my whole life. It’s finally come around. It’s all part of God’s plan for me. It was a stressful day, but I know this is where I was supposed to be, and it couldn’t be with a better organization.”
What was today like? “There’s a lot of uncertainty involved. Ever since the Shrine Game, they’ve been in contact. They told me I would get a shot, whether it was a late draft pick or free agency, but we understood it would probably be free agency. I’ve always been a guy who just needed a chance, and I finally got it.”
Army obligations: “It’ll be a case-by-case, but first and foremost, I know the Army is my duty, and I’ll do everything I have to comply with them. I want to represent the Army the best way I can and work from there.”

- Zach Greenwell, Daily News reporter
Sports news from the WKU and BG preps scene
 
That is fantastic for him, the last guy I remember going Pro from the Academies was some kicker. I do wonder how he is going to "work" for the Army though. Good luck to Trent nonetheless.
 
Trent Steelman discusses signing as undrafted free agent with Baltimore Ravens

APRIL 27, 2013
Just got off the phone with Army quarterback and Bowling Green High School graduate Trent Steelman, who signed Saturday as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelman said the Ravens are bringing him in as a slot receiver, with his backup position as safety. Despite playing quarterback in college, he said he’s coming in with an “open mind.”
Steelman will have Army service obligations, but a rule change in 2008 allows athletes the ability to pursue their professional careers while also still working for the Army in some capacity. If they are still in professional sports after two years, they have more options for how to approach their remaining years of service.
Here are Steelman’s comments:
TRENT STEELMAN
On signing with the Ravens: “It’s a great honor, and it’s something I’ve been dreaming of my whole life. It’s finally come around. It’s all part of God’s plan for me. It was a stressful day, but I know this is where I was supposed to be, and it couldn’t be with a better organization.”
What was today like? “There’s a lot of uncertainty involved. Ever since the Shrine Game, they’ve been in contact. They told me I would get a shot, whether it was a late draft pick or free agency, but we understood it would probably be free agency. I’ve always been a guy who just needed a chance, and I finally got it.”
Army obligations: “It’ll be a case-by-case, but first and foremost, I know the Army is my duty, and I’ll do everything I have to comply with them. I want to represent the Army the best way I can and work from there.”

- Zach Greenwell, Daily News reporter
Sports news from the WKU and BG preps scene

Didn't he branch something in the non-combat arms? I feel like I remember it was the Army equivalent of Supply Corps for the Navy. This would be the explanation for that, I guess.
 
Didn't he branch something in the non-combat arms? I feel like I remember it was the Army equivalent of Supply Corps for the Navy. This would be the explanation for that, I guess.

He branched Air Defense Artillery, which is about the lamest, sad-sack branch you can join and still technically be combat arms (now MFE).
 
He won't make the team, nor the practice squad.

He's just not that good.
 
It's an unknown how he will do since the Ravens are interested in him at WR.
It will be interesting to see how he will serve his commitment.
 
It's an unknown how he will do since the Ravens are interested in him at WR.
Your are right it is an unknown. Good to know that there are some draft experts on this forum who have already figured out he can't cut it at the next level. I for one could NEVER understand these armchair athletes, "Good, now he can fumble away victory for someone else", who are the first ones to talk about a college kid that is giving 100% for his school and his team, who has to take the same classes as his peers but in addition to that he has to be at practice everyday. I am also willing to bet that these same "athletes" have never stepped foot on ANY field of play with the game on the line and the "ball" in their hands. I always tell my DS (along with his coaches) to never to pay attention to these kind of "experts" because if they talk like this we know that they have no idea what it is like. In fact we used to make a joke of these expert wannabe's. I have for one have no idea if he can make it at the next level but I will say one thing after watching him there is no lack of work ethic or desire in him. I am willing to wait and see how he will do. Of course he doesn't have the athletic ability of a JaMarcus Russell, whom I am sure some of you "athletes" must have loved (if I remember correctly he didn't fumble much). Once they get paid for it then I think that they can be second guessed and critiqued by the great talent scouts that are on this forum. Usually I don't make a point of telling my DS about posts on this forum but he will really get a laugh out of the comments from some people who would choke if they had to make a free throw during a game of horse when a beer is at stake. Now if you actually wanted to get to the problem of the Army football team you would be much better looking at the coaching staff!!
 
Your are right it is an unknown. Good to know that there are some draft experts on this forum who have already figured out he can't cut it at the next level. I for one could NEVER understand these armchair athletes, "Good, now he can fumble away victory for someone else", who are the first ones to talk about a college kid that is giving 100% for his school and his team, who has to take the same classes as his peers but in addition to that he has to be at practice everyday. I am also willing to bet that these same "athletes" have never stepped foot on ANY field of play with the game on the line and the "ball" in their hands. I always tell my DS (along with his coaches) to never to pay attention to these kind of "experts" because if they talk like this we know that they have no idea what it is like. In fact we used to make a joke of these expert wannabe's. I have for one have no idea if he can make it at the next level but I will say one thing after watching him there is no lack of work ethic or desire in him. I am willing to wait and see how he will do. Of course he doesn't have the athletic ability of a JaMarcus Russell, whom I am sure some of you "athletes" must have loved (if I remember correctly he didn't fumble much). Once they get paid for it then I think that they can be second guessed and critiqued by the great talent scouts that are on this forum. Usually I don't make a point of telling my DS about posts on this forum but he will really get a laugh out of the comments from some people who would choke if they had to make a free throw during a game of horse when a beer is at stake. Now if you actually wanted to get to the problem of the Army football team you would be much better looking at the coaching staff!!

You do realize that you are talking to a large group of people that have attended various SA's or Universities, many have been athletes at various levels.

Before you call us all wannabe's, you might want to ask a few questions first, my guess is that you just might be losing that bet you want to make. Glad to hear your son will get a laugh out of this, you can explain just how hard it is to make the transition to Pro ball, if you can't, some of us can.
 
It's an unknown how he will do since the Ravens are interested in him at WR.
It will be interesting to see how he will serve his commitment.

Whether he succeeds or not in the NFL is to me secondary to the commitment issue. IMHO this is really a bad policy that that would allow someone like Steelman to possibly walk after two and perform some unspecified USAR PR type duties while playing pro ball. Yes I know all about the PR flaks who spout the "good publicity for the Army" line but I neither believe that line nor do I believe that I as a tax payer am well served paying someone to go to the USMA Prep school for a year, USMA for 4 years, and then watching him waltz off to pursue his "better opportunities". But pity the poor cadet who just happens to be a so-so waterpolo player or an ultimate Frisbee afficianado but a heck of a leader- the Army will ensure that it gets every dime of it's investment as time before that grad gets to explore his "better opportunities". If he wasn't prepared to serve as a soldier for 5 years- then he never should have taken the dime after his 3d class year (you know that whole base line "Commitment" thing?) And if the SA football programs can only compete at the D1 level by offering an option of waiving the base line institutional obligation to serve as an officer on Active Duty, then it's time to drop to D3 and stop having the tail wag the dog.
 
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It's an unknown how he will do since the Ravens are interested in him at WR.

That's good, because he does not have anything close to a NFL-caliber throwing arm.

Once they get paid for it then I think that they can be second guessed and critiqued by the great talent scouts that are on this forum.

News Flash! If he signed a contract with the Baltimore Ravens, it ain't for free. :rolleyes:
 
It's an unknown how he will do since the Ravens are interested in him at WR.
Your are right it is an unknown. Good to know that there are some draft experts on this forum who have already figured out he can't cut it at the next level. I for one could NEVER understand these armchair athletes, "Good, now he can fumble away victory for someone else", who are the first ones to talk about a college kid that is giving 100% for his school and his team, who has to take the same classes as his peers but in addition to that he has to be at practice everyday.

1. No one forced him to come to WP
2. No, he does not take all the same classes as his classmates. Between STAP (summer school for athletes and kids who failed classes during the school year), rock classes, and being a leadership major, he had a significantly easier courseload than many of his peers.
3. While D1 sports are a huge time committment, it's not like the rest of the school just sits around all day :rolleyes: and again, see #1
 
It's an unknown how he will do since the Ravens are interested in him at WR.
Your are right it is an unknown. Good to know that there are some draft experts on this forum who have already figured out he can't cut it at the next level. I for one could NEVER understand these armchair athletes, "Good, now he can fumble away victory for someone else", who are the first ones to talk about a college kid that is giving 100% for his school and his team, who has to take the same classes as his peers but in addition to that he has to be at practice everyday. I am also willing to bet that these same "athletes" have never stepped foot on ANY field of play with the game on the line and the "ball" in their hands. I always tell my DS (along with his coaches) to never to pay attention to these kind of "experts" because if they talk like this we know that they have no idea what it is like. In fact we used to make a joke of these expert wannabe's. I have for one have no idea if he can make it at the next level but I will say one thing after watching him there is no lack of work ethic or desire in him. I am willing to wait and see how he will do. Of course he doesn't have the athletic ability of a JaMarcus Russell, whom I am sure some of you "athletes" must have loved (if I remember correctly he didn't fumble much). Once they get paid for it then I think that they can be second guessed and critiqued by the great talent scouts that are on this forum. Usually I don't make a point of telling my DS about posts on this forum but he will really get a laugh out of the comments from some people who would choke if they had to make a free throw during a game of horse when a beer is at stake. Now if you actually wanted to get to the problem of the Army football team you would be much better looking at the coaching staff!!

Oh, I get...so YOU'RE the expert on professional football.

Trent Steelman fumbled away so many victories for Army, and his reward for his free education and commitment to the Army is the chance to play professional football on the taxpayer's dime.

Jcleppe is exactly right. You have very little concept of who you're talking to, and I don't see any SA experience in your past either. You seem to be speaking from a position of great supposition, and not a position of any firsthand knowledge. If you had such knowledge, you'd know that football players at the SAs lead a very unique life and don't face many of the daily rigors their peers do.

Trent Steelman coughed up the ball on the regular when he took hits from the likes of Stony Brook and Navy. I'm guessing some NFL hitters might make him drop the rock consistently.
 
Honor Code

Steelman was in trouble a few times before for honor code violations. If it was any other cadet he/she would have been kicked out. If you want to play pro sports do not go to a service academy. His team mates will be fighting for their country. Shame on the powers that be for letting him walk away from his obligation to his country.
 
Value of Athletes

Steelman was in trouble a few times before for honor code violations. If it was any other cadet he/she would have been kicked out. If you want to play pro sports do not go to a service academy. His team mates will be fighting for their country. Shame on the powers that be for letting him walk away from his obligation to his country.

I have NO SA experience and am just not trying to figure out the whole set up due to my children's interest in this path. I had NO idea that you could attend an SA, while there get special treatment because you are an athlete, then leave and go pro, only to do some type of sideline service. Is that what I am understanding? Are the athletes THAT valued at West Point? Are they THAT valued at all SAs? Does it create conflict at the SAs (between athletes and non athletes?). Just trying to understand the dynamics (and logistics) with this....
Is this because the sporting events bring in $, because the athletes (perhaps) work harder or...?

S
(p.s. and it is only football that his generally happens with?)
 
I have NO SA experience and am just not trying to figure out the whole set up due to my children's interest in this path. I had NO idea that you could attend an SA, while there get special treatment because you are an athlete, then leave and go pro, only to do some type of sideline service. Is that what I am understanding? Are the athletes THAT valued at West Point? Are they THAT valued at all SAs? Does it create conflict at the SAs (between athletes and non athletes?). Just trying to understand the dynamics (and logistics) with this....
Is this because the sporting events bring in $, because the athletes (perhaps) work harder or...?

S
(p.s. and it is only football that his generally happens with?)

It depends on your perspective. I played one season of JV at West Point, sophomore year. In terms of athlete "treatment," I think I got most of it - own meal table, not drilling or playing intramural sport. My academic schedule didn't change.

My opinion, differences in how Corps Squad athletes (everyone at West POint are athletes, but Corps Squad usually means NCAA competition) get treated are in exchange for what they do. When I was a plebe, mandatory meals were pretty stressful. Sitting with your team members eliminates that. Can't be two places at once, so if I am practicing I can't be drilling. If I remember correctly, during off seaon, Corps Squad athletes drilled. Leadership major is open to everyone. I seen plenty of non-athletes attend summer school. I don't know how things have changes, but the punishment for honor violations are determined by a board of cadet peers than approved by the Supe. Don't know how many honor punishment the Supe lessened.

I was glad I was able to play one season, will do it again. But, gained a lot of respect for Corps Squad athletes.
 
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