Air Force Changes Policy on NFL Eligibility in Mid-Draft

Really not cool, Air Force.

The flying branch of the American military has just informed the Academy that players will not be able to defer active duty and play professional football.

Instead, they will have to serve two years before doing so.

Here's the problem with this little edict:

The players weren't notified of the policy change and found out through this article on the third day of the draft.

This means there were players who trained and prepared for the possibility of being drafted -- or more likely, signed as undrafted free agents -- only to find out during the NFL Draft that they weren't eligible.

Players who were systematically misled include safety Weston Steelhammer and wide receiver Jalen Robinette.

Hell, Robinette even participated in the NFL Scouting Combine.

These dudes had been preparing for the draft since a July 2016 ruling by the United States Department of Defense that would allow an athlete to play professional sports immediately.

Under this ruling, they would be eligible for something called Ready Reserve status instead of serving two years of active duty.

However, the Air Force decided to eliminate that option for their student-athletes.

Indeed.

So there will be no professional football for these dudes until 2019, if ever.

Much obliged, Air Force.