Jason Garrett, the former Dallas Cowboys head coach and current NBC Sports analyst, is stepping off the sidelines and into the political arena—at least as a supporter. On Wednesday, Garrett publicly endorsed Michele Tafoya, his former NBC colleague, in her bid for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota.
Garrett, who spent 25 years around Tafoya during her stints at ESPN and NBC, didn’t hold back in his praise. In a video shared on social media, he called her one of the most trustworthy, kind, and professional people he’s ever met. “She’s running for one reason: she loves our country, she loves Minnesota, and she wants to make people’s lives better,” Garrett said.
Tafoya, best known for her work as a sideline reporter on “Sunday Night Football,” announced her Senate run back in January. The move surprised many, given her long career covering the NFL alongside legends like Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. But Tafoya says her time on the gridiron prepared her for this moment. “I walked the sidelines when the pressure was mounting and the stakes were the highest,” she said in her announcement. “That job taught me about how leadership really works.”
Her platform focuses on cleaning up corruption, protecting tax dollars, and supporting law enforcement. She’s also taken a strong stance on keeping female sports for female athletes—a hot-button issue that’s drawn both support and criticism. Tafoya argues that her experience covering high-stakes games has given her a unique perspective on accountability and preparation. “When leaders are prepared and accountable, teams succeed. When they aren’t, people pay the price,” she said.
Garrett’s endorsement adds a recognizable name to her campaign, but it also raises questions about his own future. NBC recently announced that Tony Dungy and Chris Simms are leaving “Football Night in America,” but Garrett will remain on the show, working alongside Maria Taylor, Mike Tomlin, and Devin McCourty. The network shake-up has sparked speculation about the show’s direction, but Garrett seems locked in for now.
The timing of the endorsement is interesting, given the broader NFL landscape. While Garrett focuses on politics, the league is buzzing with other major moves, like the blockbuster trade sending Myles Garrett to the Rams. That deal has reshaped the NFC, and analysts have largely approved of the Browns' haul. But for Garrett, the spotlight is on Tafoya’s campaign and his continued role at NBC.
For Tafoya, the road to the Senate won’t be easy. Minnesota is a fiercely competitive state, and she’ll need to win over voters who remember her as a TV personality, not a politician. But with Garrett’s backing and her own narrative of leadership under pressure, she’s hoping to turn her sideline experience into a seat on Capitol Hill.
