Jay Feely, a former NFL placekicker, is embarking on a new career path in politics, aiming to represent Arizona in Congress. Feely, a Republican, recently won his primary and is set to face Democrat Dr. Amish Shah in the general election. He joins a notable lineage of athletes, particularly from the NFL, who have transitioned from the sports world to public service.
Feely attributes his readiness for the political arena to the demanding nature of professional football. "Especially as a kicker — to be a successful kicker in the NFL, you have to be able to handle pressure, and you have be able handle failure," Feely told Fox News Digital. He believes these attributes are directly applicable to navigating the challenges of political life. Furthermore, the NFL's diverse locker rooms provided him with experiences in interacting with individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives, preparing him to represent a broad constituency.
He recalled specific instances that tested his resilience, such as kicking a game-winning field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles shortly after what he described as the "worst game of [his] career." This, coupled with facing public scrutiny, including a humorous portrayal on "Saturday Night Live," taught him valuable lessons in perseverance. Feely also noted connections forged through the NFL Players Association, mentioning Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, a former Washington Redskin, as an example of an athlete who successfully moved into public service.
Feely is not alone in this athletic-to-political pipeline. Scott Turner, who played cornerback for the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers, has served in the Texas House of Representatives and as HUD Secretary, emphasizing lessons of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance learned from football.
Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., a former professional mixed martial artist, has spoken about how her fighting career prepared her for Congress, highlighting the need for discipline, hard work, and respect for opponents. Former Auburn Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville transitioned to the U.S. Senate, drawing parallels between coaching a team and building a political campaign.
Another prominent figure is Jack Kemp, a former NFL quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, who later served as a congressman and HUD Secretary, and was the Republican vice presidential nominee in 1996. Kemp himself stated that professional football provided him with valuable perspective, having already experienced being booed, cheered, traded, and criticized.
Other notable athletes who have served in Congress include Rep. Burgess Owens, a former New York Jets safety; Jon Runyan Sr., an ex-Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle who now works for the NFL; and former Rep. Heath Shuler, a quarterback who played for the team now known as the Washington Commanders. More recently, Colin Allred, a former Tennessee Titan, served in Congress.
Beyond football, athletes from other sports have also entered politics. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, and NFL Hall of Famer Steve Largent, a former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, represented Indiana and Oklahoma, respectively. Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jim Bunning had a lengthy political career, serving in the Kentucky State Senate, the House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate. Basketball star Bill Bradley, a former New York Knicks player, served as a U.S. Senator for New Jersey. Former Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Tom Osborne also served in Congress.
Early figures in professional football also found their way into public service, such as former Rep. Adam Wyant and Laverne Dilweg, an early Green Bay Packer. Mo Udall, who briefly played for the Denver Nuggets, served in Congress for three decades. Olympic gold medalist Bob Mathias, a decathlete, represented California in the House of Representatives.