Former Army lieutenant Josh McNary reports to Indianapolis Colts training camp

Former West Point defensive star Josh McNary spent the last two years serving in the Army as a lieutenant, but now he has answered a different call of duty. After being discharged from active duty this week, the all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss has reported to the Indianapolis Colts training camp where he will try to make the roster as an outside linebacker.

McNary reportedly addressed the team to give a motivational speech on work ethic and dedication at the request of head coach Chuck Pagano, as he shared his military experience.

“I told the team pretty much where I’ve been for the past two years, where I’ve been the past couple of months,” McNary said, via Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star. “After all that was said and done, [Pagano] made the parallel between the Army and that team, and the team that we have here.

“The fact that you kind of put this game into perspective, he called it a ‘child’s game.’ He said that basically there’s traits to be adopted and that team, in terms of everybody taking personal accountability and people being accountable for what they are supposed to be doing. It was pretty good. It was inspiring.”

It has been a while since McNary has taken the football field, but he is looking forward to the new challenge ahead.

“In regards to playing [again], it didn’t really catch up to me until I got out here because before I was just focused on taking it a day at a time and doing what I can at that point,” McNary said. “I just knew the process as far as getting me out of the Army and everything wasn’t going to happen in a day. It definitely kept me preoccupied. I had enough to worry about down there.”

If McNary could overcome the odds and find a way to make the Colts final roster, it would be one of the true feel-good stories of the season.

I know I’ll be rooting for him.