Former NFL placekicker Jay Feely is pursuing a congressional career, aiming to represent the district of retiring Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz. Feely, who played for the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, believes that his experiences in professional sports have equipped him with skills necessary for public service, such as leadership and resilience under pressure. In an interview, he emphasized the importance of handling pressure and learning from failure, stating, "Especially as a kicker — to be a successful kicker in the NFL, you have to be able to handle pressure, and you have to be able to handle failure."
Feely noted that his time in the NFL exposed him to diverse backgrounds, which he believes will help him represent a varied constituency. He shared personal anecdotes about his experiences with teammates, highlighting the value of understanding different perspectives. Feely's candidacy is part of a broader trend of athletes transitioning into politics, with several former athletes having successfully made this leap in the past.
Other notable examples include Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., who had a career in mixed martial arts before entering politics, and former NFL player Burgess Owens, a Republican from Utah. The article discusses the parallels between sports and political careers, with various former athletes citing their experiences in sports as beneficial in their political roles. Feely will face former state Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, in the upcoming election.