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Jay Feely spent years successful nan NFL trying to present successful high-pressure moments. Now, nan erstwhile kicker is facing a different benignant of unit constituent arsenic Republicans look to protect their slim House mostly successful November’s midterm elections.
Feely hung up his cleats aft nan 2014 season, closing a profession that still leaves him 30th connected nan NFL’s all-time scoring list. He later spent respective years covering games arsenic a broadcaster earlier making nan jump into politics.
Feely announced his bid for 1 of Arizona’s legislature seats past twelvemonth and is moving arsenic a Republican campaigner successful nan state’s first Congressional District. His run has since drawn financial backing from respective salient sports figures.
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Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely participates successful nan 2026 AZ Clean Elections superior statement for nan 1st Congressional District astatine Sneaky Big Studios successful Scottsdale connected June 24, 2026. (Diannie Chavez/The Republic / US)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA awesome Charles Barkley, who spent 4 years of his Hall of Fame hoops profession pinch nan Phoenix Suns, person some donated to Feely’s campaign, according to nationalist information from nan Federal Election Commission.
Records show Goodell made 2 donations past June, 1 designated for nan superior and nan different for nan wide election. Each publication totaled $3,500. Individual donors are allowed to springiness up to $7,000 to a campaigner for nan U.S. House of Representatives aliases nan Senate per election.
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Feely besides picked up an endorsement from President Donald Trump earlier this year.
Feely's run website describes nan 50-year-old arsenic a "proud blimpish and staunch protagonist of (Trump)" who intends to "fight for separator security, protect our freedoms, and put America First."
David Schweikert has represented Arizona’s first Congressional District since 2011, but he is now moving for governor.
Jay Feely connected nan sideline astatine Allegiant Stadium successful Paradise, Nevada connected Feb. 11, 2024. (Mary Kouw/CBS via Getty Images)
New England Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft and longtime broadcaster Jim Nantz, who worked pinch Feely astatine CBS, besides contributed to his campaign. Then-Ravens caput coach Jim Harbaugh donated $2,500 to Feely’s run past September. The Bidwill family, which owns nan Cardinals, has fixed a mixed $17,000 to Feely’s run done donations from Michael, Nicole and Tim Bidwill.
Feely began his NFL profession successful Atlanta earlier later playing for nan New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. He closed retired his pro shot profession pinch nan Chicago Bears.
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Feely pointed to support from group extracurricular his governmental lane arsenic a reflection of his characteristic and nan relationships he has built.
"It's conscionable been an grant for maine to beryllium astir nan NFL for 25 years and to get a chance to meet nan people," Feely said. "To person this athletics for maine to meet these group who whitethorn disagree pinch maine politically, connected a number of nan issues politically, personification for illustration Arthur Blank, who's nan proprietor of nan Falcons..." Feely told The Arizona Republic.
CBS Sports newsman Jay Feely during nan crippled betwixt nan Carolina Panthers and nan Los Angeles Chargers astatine SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, California connected Sept. 27, 2020. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
"When I reached retired to him, he said, 'Jay, we disagree politically connected truthful galore issues, but I spot your heart, truthful I'll donate to your run to support you.' "
Feely’s governmental level besides extends into assemblage sports, wherever he has called for tighter regularisation of NIL if elected.
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The National Republican Congressional Committee said successful an April property merchandise that Feely’s run raised $740,000 successful nan first 4th of 2026. Election committee records showed he had an estimated $1.25 cardinal arsenic of precocious March.
Feely faces a competitory superior against Joseph Chaplik and John Trobough. Chaplik was antecedently elected to nan Arizona House of Representatives, and Trobough is simply a exertion executive. Arizona voters will spell to nan polls connected July 21.
Feely went undrafted retired of Michigan successful 1999 earlier making his NFL regular-season debut pinch nan Falcons successful 2001.
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Chantz Martin is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
