Kemp, Unfit for Army, Played Pro Ball : Separated Shoulder Kept Him With Chargers During Berlin Crisis

SACRAMENTO —  Republican presidential candidate Jack Kemp, a professional football player in 1961, received a medical exemption that allowed him to avoid being called to active duty as an Army reservist, it was reported today.

Medical records obtained by the Sacramento Bee showed that Kemp’s unit, the 977th Transportation Co. based in San Diego, was ordered to active duty during the Berlin crisis on Oct. 15, 1961.

While his fellow reservists reported to Ft. Lewis, Wash., where they trained through August, 1962, Kemp led the San Diego Chargers to a second straight division title before losing to the Houston Oilers in the American Football League championship.

During the season, Kemp completed 165 of 364 passes for 2,686 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 22 interceptions. The AFL passing leader in 1960, Kemp continued to play despite suffering a shoulder injury a month before his Army unit was mobilized.

Kemp’s roommate for the 1961 season, Hall of Fame tackle Ron Mix, recalled the injury.

“He had a chronically separated shoulder and he literally had to be shot up with painkillers to play,” Mix told the Bee. “As crazy as it sounds, he was not fit to serve in the Army but fit for football, where the philosophy was play with pain.”

J. W. Best, now a physician in Scottsdale, Ariz., told the newspaper that he was on the team of military doctors that first examined Kemp in San Diego. Best said there was no pressure from outside sources to give Kemp special treatment.

“There were questions even then about how could he be unfit (for the Army) but still play football,” he said. “But I told them, ‘Look, it’s not a matter of life or death on that football field.’ ”

Kemp, who has developed a reputation as a hawk on defense matters during his 17-year congressional career, said he did nothing to avoid a call-up.

“I didn’t request (the exemption),” he told the newspaper. “Like all people, I wanted to do what was right. I must admit I was married and had a child, but I certainly would’ve done whatever I was called to do.”