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Jay Feely spent years in the NFL trying to deliver in high-pressure moments. Now, the former kicker is facing a different kind of pressure point as Republicans look to protect their slim House majority in November’s midterm elections.
Feely hung up his cleats after the 2014 season, closing a career that still leaves him 30th on the NFL’s all-time scoring list. He later spent several years covering games as a broadcaster before making the jump into politics.
Feely announced his bid for one of Arizona’s congressional seats last year and is running as a Republican candidate in the state’s first Congressional District. His campaign has since drawn financial backing from several prominent sports figures.
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Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely participates in the 2026 AZ Clean Elections primary debate for the 1st Congressional District at Sneaky Big Studios in Scottsdale on June 24, 2026. (Diannie Chavez/The Republic / US)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA great Charles Barkley, who spent four years of his Hall of Fame basketball career with the Phoenix Suns, have both donated to Feely’s campaign, according to public data from the Federal Election Commission.
Records show Goodell made two donations last June, one designated for the primary and the other for the general election. Each contribution totaled $3,500. Individual donors are allowed to give up to $7,000 to a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate per election.
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Feely also picked up an endorsement from President Donald Trump earlier this year.
Feely’s campaign website describes the 50-year-old as a “proud conservative and staunch supporter of (Trump)” who aims to “fight for border security, protect our freedoms, and put America First.”
David Schweikert has represented Arizona’s first Congressional District since 2011, but he is now running for governor.
Jay Feely on the sideline at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada on Feb. 11, 2024. (Mary Kouw/CBS via Getty Images)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and longtime broadcaster Jim Nantz, who worked with Feely at CBS, also contributed to his campaign. Then-Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh donated $2,500 to Feely’s campaign last September. The Bidwill family, which owns the Cardinals, has given a combined $17,000 to Feely’s campaign through donations from Michael, Nicole and Tim Bidwill.
Feely began his NFL career in Atlanta before later playing for the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. He closed out his pro football career with the Chicago Bears.
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Feely pointed to support from people outside his political lane as a reflection of his character and the relationships he has built.
“It’s just been an honor for me to be around the NFL for 25 years and to get a chance to meet the people,” Feely said. “To have this sport for me to meet these people who may disagree with me politically, on a number of the issues politically, somebody like Arthur Blank, who’s the owner of the Falcons…” Feely told The Arizona Republic.
CBS Sports reporter Jay Feely during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sept. 27, 2020. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
“When I reached out to him, he said, ‘Jay, we disagree politically on so many issues, but I trust your heart, so I’ll donate to your campaign to support you.’ “
Feely’s political platform also extends into college sports, where he has called for tighter regulation of NIL if elected.
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The National Republican Congressional Committee said in an April press release that Feely’s campaign raised $740,000 in the first quarter of 2026. Election commission records showed he had an estimated $1.25 million as of late March.
Feely faces a competitive primary against Joseph Chaplik and John Trobough. Chaplik was previously elected to the Arizona House of Representatives, and Trobough is a technology executive. Arizona voters will go to the polls on July 21.
Feely went undrafted out of Michigan in 1999 before making his NFL regular-season debut with the Falcons in 2001.
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