Marine Gives Up On NFL? Brandon O’Brien Says Reports Are Exaggerated

Brandon O’Brien has the opportunity to play in the National Football League next year but the marine has decided to give up on the NFL in order to re-enlist.

When reports of O’Brien’s decision first surfaced it was rumored that the Marine gave up on the NFL because of the Boston Marathon bombing. The Montana State University wide receiver was criticized for pulling a publicity stunt.

But O’Brien said that he made up his mind before the explosions went off in Boston.

O’Brien said: “Those reports are absolutely false. First off, me deciding to go back into the military has nothing to do with the Boston bombings and, furthermore, I have not yet reenlisted in the Marines … I’ve heard that a lot of veterans think that this is a publicity stunt and this is the complete opposite … I don’t want the media attention for my decision to go back into the military. It’s not about that. It’s about doing what I feel is right and that is to follow my heart and protect my country.”

The NFL prospect said that he hasn’t re-enlisted yet but he said that he has pretty much made up his mind.

The college football player said: “I was put here to help people and not play professional football … The military is a passion of mine and it is something I hold close to my heart and love to be a part of.”

Beyond Sports Network reports that O’Brien started the NFL draft process at the beginning of the April and has talked to several teams about playing professional football. In the end though, O’Brien decided that he wasn’t meant to play football.

O’Brien said: “I did some soul searching and realized that I was put here to help people and not play professional football. The military is a passion of mine and it is something I hold close to my heart and love to be a part of.”