Former NFL kicker Jay Feely running for Congress
Share this @internewscast.com

(The Hill) Former NFL kicker Jay Feely launched a bid for an open House seat in Arizona on Tuesday, seeking to become the latest to cross over from sports to politics. 

Feely is running as a Republican for the state’s 5th Congressional District, hoping to succeed Rep. Andy Biggs (R), who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor next year. The former player-turned-sports-analyst pitched himself as a strong supporter of President Donald Trump and highlighted his experience on and off the field on his campaign website. 

“A proud conservative and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, Feely is running in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District to fight for border security, protect our freedoms, and put America First,” the website states. “He’s tough, tested, and ready to kick Washington into shape.” 

NFL Players Association Player Advisory Council’s Jay Feely speaks to reporters outside federal court, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, in New York, amid the NFL’s “Deflategate” scandal. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Feely, who played for Michigan in college, spent more than a decade in the NFL. He played for six teams the Atlantic Falcons, the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets, the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears with his longest tenures for the Falcons and the Cardinals.

After retiring following the 2014 season, Feely worked as an analyst for CBS Sports for 10 years, bidding farewell to the network shortly before announcing his House candidacy. 

On his website, Feely touted his time on the NFL Players Association Executive Committee during which he represented other players in negotiations with management. He also highlighted the Feely Family Foundation, which he founded with his wife to support youth and education, and his community and faith-based service experience, working with groups like Mission of Hope and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

Feely is calling for a wide range of conservative policies, including mass deportations for “violent offenders,” banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports and the expansion of the 2017 Trump tax cuts. He also declared his support for Israel and advancing American energy independence. 

He already has at least one opponent in the primary, former state Rep. Trent Grantham (R), but has secured a high-profile endorsement from Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). 

Feely told Fox News that he had been interested in politics for a while, but the assassination attempt on Trump last summer inspired him to run for office. 

“That was a big moment for me. I remember starting to really think about running for office the day that he got shot,” he said. 

If elected, Feely would be the latest former professional sports player to win public office. Other former players who became politicians include former Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), who was an MLB pitcher, and former Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.), who played for the New York Knicks in the NBA.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Bristol, Va. House Fire Attributed to Candle Left Near Flammable Materials, Reports Fire Chief

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — On Thanksgiving Day, a house fire in Bristol,…

Legionnaires’ Disease Alert: Ocoee Gym Under Investigation for Potential Outbreak

OCOEE, Fla. – A cloud of concern hovers over a local fitness…

Orlando’s Small Businesses Gear Up for Record-Breaking Saturday Shopping Rush

ORLANDO, Fla. – In a bid to accommodate the influx of shoppers,…

Unexploded Grenade Found in Orlando Community, Fire Department Reports

ORLANDO, Fla. – Fire department crews discovered a grenade while responding to…

Survivors of Hong Kong Apartment Fire Reflect on Their Next Steps

HONG KONG – It was a typical afternoon when William Li received…

SpaceX Schedules Florida Rocket Launch for Early Monday Morning

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – In the early hours of Monday, SpaceX is…

Community Outcry Escalates: Arrests Spark Controversy 100 Days Post Rainbow Crosswalk Removal

In Orlando, Florida, a crosswalk near the former Pulse nightclub has become…

Heroic Sibling Rescue: How an Older Brother Saved His 10-Year-Old Sister in a Hawkins County ATV Accident

What began as a typical Saturday evening in Hawkins County quickly transformed…

Brace for Impact: Thanksgiving Travelers Face Snow, Rain, and Chilly Weather Conditions

As Thanksgiving travelers began their journeys, snow and cold temperatures have already…

Post-Thanksgiving Travel Alert: Snow, Rain, and Cold Weather Set to Impact Journeys

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend continues, travelers should brace themselves for a…

Ex-CIA Employee from Afghanistan Commits Shooting in DC After Cross-Country Drive

Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old who once served with an agency in Afghanistan,…

Senator Rick Scott’s Florida Residence Targeted in Thanksgiving Swatting Incident

NAPLES, Fla. – On Thanksgiving morning, U.S. Senator Rick Scott’s residence in…