Jay Feely has traded field goals for political rallies, and so far, the transition is paying off. The former NFL kicker has secured the Republican primary victory in Arizona's 1st Congressional District, according to projections from the Associated Press and NBC.
Feely, who spent 14 seasons booting balls through the uprights for six different teams, including the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, announced his congressional bid back in April 2025. He initially targeted the 5th District but switched to the 1st after securing an endorsement from former President Donald Trump—a move that proved decisive.
“I’m excited about this next chapter of my life,” Feely told ESPN. “I think that I feel God’s calling pressing me into service, and that’s really what I believe it is, is the civil service. I don’t believe we have enough politicians that get into political office not for self-serving measures.”
Feely defeated former state Representative Joe Chaplik and businessman John Trobough in the primary. Now he sets his sights on the general election in November, where he'll look to flip the seat for the GOP.
His campaign wasn't just fueled by grassroots support—it also drew big names from the sports world. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, New York Giants coach John Harbaugh, and NBA legend Charles Barkley all contributed to his war chest. Charles Barkley's donation to Feely's campaign highlighted the cross-sport appeal of a former athlete turned politician.
“When I chose to walk away from my NFL broadcasting career, keeping the Republican majority was the primary focus,” Feely said. “We must maintain a GOP majority to ensure lower costs for Arizona’s families, safety in our neighborhoods, and the preservation of the American Dream.”
Who Is Jay Feely?
Feely entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and quickly made a name for himself with the Atlanta Falcons, earning PFWA All-Rookie honors. Over his career, he connected on 332 of 402 field goal attempts—a solid 82.6% clip. He also played for the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and the Cardinals before hanging up his cleats in 2015.
After retiring, Feely slid into the broadcast booth as a color commentator for CBS, working alongside play-by-play announcer Spero Dedes. That gig came to an end when he decided to pursue politics full-time.
Feely's journey from the NFL to Congress is part of a growing trend of former pros transitioning into new careers after their playing days are over. While many choose coaching or broadcasting, Feely is taking a different path—one that leads straight to the halls of power.
Now, with the primary behind him, Feely is focused on the general election. If his campaign so far is any indication, he's ready to fight for every vote—just like he fought for every field goal.
