GLENDALE – Another pro athlete is looking to make his mark in politics, and this time, it’s former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely. The 48-year-old retired NFL kicker is reportedly “seriously considering” running for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District in 2026, according to the Arizona Republic.
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Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely (4) against the Indianapolis Colts at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The current holder of the position is Rep. Andy Briggs, who is running for governor next year, opening up his spot. The 5th Congressional District is heavily right-leading, which bodes well for Feely, as he has been seen golfing with President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders in Arizona.
Of the active voters in that district, 45% are Republican, while 20% are Democrats. If Feely were to make a run, he would likely run as a Republican and historically would have a stellar shot at winning with the seat being filled by a Republican for 36 out of 42 years of its existence.
Cardinals Feely professional career:
Sep 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; CBS Sports sideline reporter Jay Feely during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feely went undrafted in 1999 but found a spot on the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. The Falcons were the first of six teams the NFL kicker played for, with the Cardinals tied for the longest-tenured team. Feely played in the Valley for four years, making 98 field goals with 85.2% accuracy and never missing an extra point.
He retired in 2014 and has worked with CBS as an NFL analyst for the network for the past few seasons. However, Feely looks ready and is laying the groundwork for pursuing another career after his time on the field, this time as a politician.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
