Even amidst the gravity of preparing for Operation Neptune Spear, the mission to eliminate Osama bin Laden, Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill found himself preoccupied with a more commonplace concern: the upcoming NFL Draft. Stationed in Afghanistan in April 2011 with SEAL Team 6, O'Neill, a devoted Washington Redskins fan, was keenly following his team's draft prospects.

In a recent appearance on OutKick's "The Ricky Cobb Show," O'Neill recounted the surreal experience of juggling the impending high-stakes mission with his sports fandom. He recalled his pre-mission routine, exercising on a treadmill while contemplating the Redskins' need for an offensive tackle with their 10th overall pick. It was during one of these workouts that the gravity of his situation truly hit home.

Robert O'Neill, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, speaks at the "Best of Blount" Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony. (Getty Images)

"Suddenly, on the treadmill, it dawned on me: 'This draft pick doesn't really matter. I'm probably going to be dead next week,'" O'Neill humorously recounted. The weight of the mission, and the very real possibility of not returning, abruptly shifted his priorities.

Rob O'Neill throws out the first pitch at a baseball game. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

As fate would have it, the Redskins selected defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, not the offensive tackle O'Neill had hoped for. However, the successful outcome of Operation Neptune Spear overshadowed any lingering draft disappointments. O'Neill returned home safely, and ultimately witnessed Kerrigan's impressive career unfold, which included four Pro Bowl selections as a Redskin.

Ryan Kerrigan, #91 of the Washington Football Team, celebrates a sack. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

While the Washington Redskins didn't draft an offensive lineman until the seventh round that year, O'Neill likely had little to complain about given the circumstances and Kerrigan's subsequent performance.