(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.
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“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.
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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).
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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.
