Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Navy secretary: Ravens' Keenan Reynolds is perfect ambassador for the U.S. military

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus is "confident" Keenan Reynolds can play for the Baltimore Ravens while honoring his service commitment, because it is a win-win situation.

Reynolds gets to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, and the United States military gets to put one of its best on a prominent stage.

“I can’t think of a better ambassador for the United States Navy or for the United States military than Keenan Reynolds," Mabus said on the "Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday.

Reynolds, a sixth-round pick in last week's draft, is looking to follow in the footsteps of other well-respected athletes from Navy such as Roger Staubach, a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback in the 1970s, and David Robinson, a 10-time NBA All-Star in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Reynold's character, sportsmanship and success has made him the face of Navy football for the past four years. He won more games than any other quarterback in school history (33), and he became the fourth player to have his uniform number retired, joining the illustrious list of Staubach, Joe Bellino and Napoleon McCallum. There is one distinction: Reynolds is the first Navy football player to have his jersey retired while he was still a midshipman at the academy.

On the field, Reynolds finished as the FBS all-time leader in total touchdowns, as well as rushing yards, by a quarterback. Off it, he has been recognized repeatedly for his leadership, intelligence and service, winning the Pat Tillman Award at the East-West Shrine game and the inaugural Decatur Award just steps from the White House.

In January, he was the guest of Rep. Jim Cooper for President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address. Reynolds didn't get an invite for the Heisman Trophy ceremony and the NFL scouting combine, but he did receive one for the White House.

“Keenan Reynolds is one of the finest people that I know," Mabus said. "He is just a sterling individual. If I’m an NFL coach or GM, he’s the kind of person I want in my locker room."

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