In a recent chat with Outkick, Paul Finebaum, an analyst for ESPN College Football, hinted that he might consider stepping away from his long-held role to pursue a Senate position.
The 70-year-old mentioned that the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk has made him reassess his priorities, stating he feels he’s received “a little more attention” since the shocking event.
“I spent four hours paralyzed, discussing matters that, well, didn’t hold any significance for me, and that feeling just kept building throughout the weekend,” Finebaum shared, adding that he felt quite empty during that time.
He expressed how hard it is, really, to articulate the impact this had both on him personally and on countless others in the country. “It was an awakening,” he reflected.
Finebaum isn’t the first recognizable sports figure to dip his toes into politics. Recently, Mark Teixeira announced his candidacy for Congress.
Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama, who transitioned from college football to Capitol Hill in 2021, has been supportive of Finebaum’s potential move. “Paul is intelligent and cares deeply about the country,” Tuberville said in a podcast. “I haven’t discussed this with him directly recently, but we had a good conversation about two months back. It went well.”
He continued, remarking that Finebaum enjoys significant recognition in Alabama and is backed by notable support. “If he decides to run, he’d definitely be a contender, but, you know, not everyone is eager to dive into politics,” Tuberville noted.
Interestingly, Finebaum indicated that Tuberville’s seat could become available as he may be seeking the governorship of Alabama. This contemplation started to make Finebaum consider running himself, especially after the impact of Kirk’s death on him.
“The sheer loss of life and its senselessness hit hard, particularly considering his influence on the youth,” Finebaum commented. “I’m on college campuses every week, and when younger fans approach me, it kind of catches me off guard sometimes.”
