Having parents who had served in the Navy, John McCabe always wanted to join the military, and he realized early on he wanted to one day play college football, too.
Now, the Olmsted Falls senior gets to do both after signing a National Letter of Intent with Air Force on Feb. 7.
McCabe was one of two Bulldogs football players to sign as William Greller signed with Mercyhurst, a Division II program out of Erie, Pennsylvania.
“Both my parents were in the Navy and I thought it would be a great opportunity to serve my country and I wanted to play football as well, so when this arose, it was a great opportunity,” McCabe said. “A lot of colleges showed interest in me and, originally, I either wanted to go into the military or play football, and when Air Force started talking to me I had a lot of interest in them because it was both. ... I accepted the offer as soon as they offered me.”
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive lineman fielded offers from Lake Erie College, Robert Morris and Malone, among others.
McCabe said he would begin his academic career at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School before embarking on his four years with the academy and, along with football practice, will participate in basic training over the summer.
“It’s not just a football team, it’s the brotherhood,” McCabe said. “Everyone’s a family. Everyone is not just in the football program. they’re also worried about their academics, and the coaching staff is great and it’s just a great environment to me.”
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