Toughest Tough Guys are Remembered and Honored the week of 9/11

By: GUEST BLOGGER Chris Gunderman FORMER NAVY INSIDER

Rob Caldwell, linebacker for the United States Naval Academy is the toughest guy in college football. I know in today’s world of chat rooms, blogs, and sports radio everything is debatable. I’m sure if you ask twenty people the same question you’ll get at least eighteen different answers, but that’s only because those twenty people don’t know Rob.

When it comes to football and the Naval Academy I might be a little biased, having played football for two years before moving on. Football by definition is a gritty sport. Players bang their heads against one another over and over again everyday not to mention that every player plays hurting if not hurt. No one makes it through a season without getting banged up, and it’s impossible to fully heal until after the season is over.

While physically more challenging than the typical university, any person who works at it can pass the academy’s physical tests. What’s tough about the Academy is that it drains you. Besides rigorous classes there’s guard duty in the middle of night and other military requirements before, during and after all those classes. When a student graduates from the Naval Academy they haven’t proven that they’re physically superior than any other college student, but frankly, they’ve proven they’re mentally tougher.

Rob Caldwell plays the linebacker position the way it was meant to be played, with utter reckless abandon. Last year he not only looked the part, with a nose that was broken during the summer and usually started gushing blood after the first series of every game, but his fearless style produced 140 tackles last season. Rob is rabid on the field trying to destroy the ball carrier or anyone who gets in his way. Between the normal rigors of D1A football, the drain of the Naval Academy, and the crazy style of his play, there is no doubt that Rob Caldwell is the toughest tough guy out there.

With September 11, 2001 an inescapable memory for most Americans and millions of people around the globe this week, pay a little attention, feel a ton of pride and share huge respect for Rob and every other Naval, Army and Air Force Academy player this week. They represent the best of what college football has to offer and each deserves our sincerest thanks.