Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 13

Bengals' Landon Robinson Wears Marine Dress Uniform for 25th 9/11 Anniversary Game

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 13

Bengals' Landon Robinson Wears Marine Dress Uniform for 25th 9/11 Anniversary Game

Q: What hidden loophole allowed a decorated Naval Academy graduate to trade active duty for an NFL roster spot in 2026?

It was not a “hidden” loophole so much as a narrow legal exception created by Congress and expanded in recent defense policy. Robinson’s path came through the **Selected Professional Athlete Alternative Military Service Obligation**. Under a 2025 law, later amended in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, up to **five graduates per service academy each year** can **defer the usual five years of immediate active duty** and instead transfer to the **Selected Reserve** while pursuing a pro sports career. That is what allowed the Naval Academy graduate and newly commissioned Marine officer to join the Bengals in 2026 rather than report straight to active service. He still owes military service; the order is simply reversed. Instead of serving active duty first and trying pro football later, Robinson can play in the NFL now and complete his service commitment afterward. The exception marked a major change from the older rule, which generally barred academy graduates from professional sports employment until after at least two years of service. It also helps explain why Robinson’s case stood out: only a handful of academy athletes can use this route each year, and they remain military officers with reserve obligations and recruiting-related responsibilities while they play. So the key mechanism was a **Congress-approved reserve-transfer deferral for service-academy athletes**, not a private waiver or team-specific deal.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 13

Landon Robinson arrived for Cincinnati's opener against Tampa Bay in full military dress, standing out on an NFL pregame fashion day tied to the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
The 2026 Naval Academy graduate was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in May and can play in the NFL under a service-academy provision that allows limited athletes to serve in the reserves.
Robinson told the Bengals his 10-year reserve commitment would not interrupt his football career, though he could return to active duty later.
Cincinnati drafted the 6-foot, 295-pound defensive tackle in the seventh round in April, its first service-academy selection since 1968; he was inactive Sunday but made the 53-man roster.