Jay Feely spent 14 seasons booting field goals through NFL uprights, but these days he's taking aim at a different kind of target: late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel. The former kicker, who now dabbles in politics, didn't mince words when he slammed Kimmel for what he sees as inflammatory commentary aimed at First Lady Melania Trump.
What Kimmel Said
During a parody of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Kimmel took a shot at Melania Trump's relationship with her husband, President Donald Trump. “Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel quipped. He then added, “Oh, by the way, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania.”
The jokes didn't sit well with the First Lady, who fired back in a scathing statement. “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy—his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America,” she wrote. She went on to call Kimmel a “coward” and demanded ABC take action, saying, “It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community?”
You can read more about her response in our article: Melania Trump Fires Back: Demands ABC Drop Jimmy Kimmel After Brutal Jokes.
Feely Enters the Fray
Feely, who connected on 332 field goals during his NFL career from 2001 to 2014, didn't just echo the First Lady's sentiments—he took them a step further. In a post on X, the 49-year-old linked Kimmel's brand of humor to a broader pattern of political violence. “The dangerous rhetoric of the left must end. 3 assassination attempts on our President, fueled by calls for violence by Democrat leaders. They have constantly compared the President to Hitler, called him ‘a threat to democracy,’ and worse—this rhetoric has dire consequences,” Feely wrote.
Feely's comments come at a time when tensions are running high across the political spectrum. The former kicker, who has been increasingly vocal about his political views, seems to be positioning himself for a potential run for office. His criticism of Kimmel is just the latest example of an athlete stepping into the political arena, a trend that's become more common in recent years.
Kimmel Stays Silent
As of now, Kimmel has not addressed the backlash to his parody video. The late-night host, known for his sharp political satire, has faced controversy before, but this time the pushback includes both a former professional athlete and the First Lady herself.
While Feely's comments are drawing attention, it's worth noting that not all former NFL players are following the same path. For instance, Fans are debating whether Jimmy Garoppolo's NFL career is winding down, while the Dallas Cowboys just made history by signing kicker Brandon Aubrey to a record-breaking contract, making him the league's first $7 million kicker. That's a far cry from the days when Feely was booting game-winners for teams like the Giants and Cardinals.
The Bigger Picture
Feely's critique taps into a larger debate about the role of comedy and political commentary in an increasingly polarized America. With three assassination attempts on President Trump in recent years, the former kicker argues that words have consequences. Whether or not you agree with his stance, one thing is clear: Jay Feely isn't afraid to speak his mind, even if it means taking on a late-night icon.
