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.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMFormer 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.GOP VOTERS PICK TRUMP-BACKED NOMINEE IN BATTLE TO FLIP CRUCIAL HOUSE SEATFeely 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 Fee...