Navy's Keenan Reynolds Cleared to Join Baltimore Ravens

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Record-setting Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds learned during Friday’s graduation ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy that he can join the Baltimore Ravens this fall.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter broke the good news to Reynolds during his speech to the graduating officers.

Reynolds was a sixth-round draft pick by the NFL team, which will use him as a running back, receiver and kick returner.

As reported first by The Baltimore Sun, classmates cheered the news as Carter said, “Go get ‘em.”

“It is a blessing to hear the news from Defense Secretary Carter today. I am truly excited to proudly serve my country while having the ability fulfill my dream of playing for the best organization in the NFL,” Reynolds said in a statement, the team website said.

Carter’s pronouncement was hinted at a couple weeks ago, when Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said he “can’t think of a better ambassador for the United States Navy or the United States military than Keenan Reynolds.”

“When we have guys coming out of the Naval Academy who go on and play professional sports, or go on and do other things that are high profile, it gives us a chance to show who we are and show the type of people that we attract and recruit,” Mabus said, according to the Ravens.

Navy fullback Chris Swain was also given approval to defer military service to play in the NFL. Swain will play for the San Diego Chargers.

Here are a few images from Navy graduation 2016, courtesy of Twitter:

»Photos of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium courtesy of the Blue Angels