We knew that safety Caleb Campbell was pretty remarkable when the Detroit Lions drafted him three months ago, inspiring choruses of "U-S-A!...U-S-A!" at the Radio City Music Hall.

After all, it isn't every year — or even every decade — that an NFL team invests a draft pick in someone from Army.

But it turns out Campbell is a remarkable individual for reasons that have little to do with his 40-yard dash time, vertical-leaping ability or the number of times he can bench press 225 pounds.

We know this because when the Pentagon abruptly pulled the plug on his first training camp and, possibly his NFL career last week, Campbell's response was an about-face from what you would expect from a pro athlete.

For one thing, you did not hear a screaming tantrum emanating from Allen Park, Mich, where Campbell, already football helmet and playbook in hand, was told to double time it back to active duty until at least 2010.

Not so the Army could send him to lead a platoon in Iraq or Afghanistan. Not to defend the homeland, either, but to return him to West Point, where he will apparently be assigned to assistant coaching duties defending an end zone.

Disappointed? To be sure. Perplexed? Undoubtedly.

But a lot of the values that brought Campbell to West Point in the first place and, doubtlessly were reinforced there, kept him from the me-me-me rants we have come to expect from highly paid and heavily entitled athletes.

We can, of course, debate whether the Army should be making exceptions for athletes — and others — with rare and visible skills while it is packing their classmates off to war zones. We can wonder if, had Campbell made an NFL roster, whether he might have been more valuable to the Army as a live recruiting poster than as an assistant coach.

But let's be clear on this: Campbell did not try to weasel out of a commitment to service. This wasn't an attempt to dodge. A 2005 Army "alternate service" policy, which he had not asked for, opened the way for those deemed exceptional in athletics and other areas, to pursue careers if they would benefit the service as recruiters. Campbell relied on that policy when he decided to remain at West Point rather than transfer to a football factory. The Lions counted on it when they drafted him.

Campbell just happened, through his sudden celebrity, to underline a conflict with the policies of the other services. Some of whom apparently screamed competitive disadvantage to the point where the Department of Defense stepped in.

The hope is that someday, after concluding his Army obligation, Campbell will be able to pursue an NFL career. In the meantime, the way he has conducted himself suggests the NFL lost more than a defensive back.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.