Ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely explains his decision to enter politics

Jay Feeley says he always toyed with the idea of entering politics during a more than decade-long career as a placekicker in the NFL and a subsequent stint in the CBS broadcast booth.

The pro athlete and media personality had occasionally been outspoken on political issues, made semi-regular cable news appearances and served on the NFL player association’s executive committee.

But he said it was when President Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt during a campaign stop in Butler, Pa., that he was truly motivated to enter the political spotlight.  

“That was a big moment for me. I started asking myself, alright Jay … what are you willing to sacrifice? It’s my time to go and serve” Feely told The Hill during a recent interview. “My wife, who had known I was going to do this for about 20 years, had to be willing to go along and we both prayed about it and decided it was the right time.”  

By that time Feely had made several million dollars on and off the field and was enjoying what he called a stable and safe job calling NFL games on CBS. 

Now the ex-kicker is running for Congress as a Republican in Arizona’s 1st congressional district, hoping to succeed Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running for governor in the state.  

Trump endorsed the former NFL kicker earlier this year, writing in a Truth Social post that Feely will “never let you down.”  

The president’s endorsement helped Feely win his primary late last month and sets him up for a clash with Democrat and physician Amish Shah in the November general election.  

Feely and Shah have a unique, and somewhat coincidental connection, which the Republican said he did not initially realize.  

Shah was a team doctor for the New York Jets in the late 2000s when Feely was on the team.  

“I don’t think I ever met him or knew him when I was there,” Feely said. “So I looked it up and sure enough he was there. I was like that’s hilarious. I certainly respect the fact he’s an ER doctor and cares for people. Our policies just completely disagree with each other. And that’s what this election is going to come down to: policies.”  

Feely describes himself as a fiscal and social conservative and has promised to help Trump achieve his “America First” agenda if elected to Congress.  

He says his time in more than a half dozen NFL locker rooms has shaped his worldview and prepared him to sort through the thorniest political issues with people who he disagrees with in a productive way.  

He recalled one particular New York Giants training camp in 2005 during which he made a point of spending time each night with linebackers LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short “just sitting around talking politics and life.”  

“That’s the greatest thing about being an athlete, being........

© The Hill