Just when I think I’m ready to throw in the towel and just give up, along comes a young man like this. In this day and age when we seem to have a younger generation that’s overflowing with Sandra Fluke-types, every once and a while we do come across a bright spot. And in this specific instance the bright spot to which I refer is a young man from Boston College by the name of Alex Amidon. A young man who, I’m very sure, has some very proud parents.
While attending Boston College, Amidon played for the school’s football team, the Eagles. His position was as a wide receiver. What has brought him into the spotlight is the fact that he has decided to pass up a chance at a lucrative NFL career in order that he may, instead, focus on his dream 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, I think it fair to say, is one of those rare individuals that you wish we had more of in this country.
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 to join the elite Army Rangers after the 9/11 attacks.
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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