He’s stepping into the competition.
Former NFL kicker Jay Ferry (who included stints with the Giants and Jets in New York) announced Tuesday that he will run as a Republican in Arizona’s 5th District seat in the House of Representatives.
“I’m excited about this next chapter in my life.” Feely told ESPN. “I think I feel God’s calling is pushing me into service, and that’s really what I believe, it’s civil servants.
“I don’t think there are any politicians who can’t take political duties and get into political positions and don’t want it to be a career, not because of selfish measures,” he added.
“I think it’s a very civil servant.”
Feely, 48 is being held in the 2026 election for the Capitol, currently occupied by Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), the House Freedom Caucus Chairman.
Arizona’s District 5 is considered a safe Republican seat, with both Bigs and President Trump winning the district in November last year with a 20% point margin.
Feely is the third major GOP candidate to announce a bid for District 5.
Former state lawmaker Travis Grantham and Army veteran and field organizer for the Trump 2020 campaign, Alex Stovall announced their candidates earlier this month.
Feely describes herself as “a proud conservative and solid supporter of President Donald Trump,” but has already secured at least one notable endorsement from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
“We are honored to receive the approval of Rep. @jim_jordan, the fearless, conservative and unwavering champion of America’s First Generation.” Feely wrote on x. “His support makes a great deal of sense to launch this campaign, protect freedom and bring true and lasting results to East Valley.”
Feely asked ESPN to run for Congress in 2022, but declined as his children were still in high school.
He showed that his children were out of the house and that their July assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania played a key role in affecting his decision this time.
“You saw the Democrats go to President Trump and you saw him get shot. It was a big moment for me. I remember that I really started thinking about running to the office the day he was shot.” Talking to Fox News Digital.
The University of Michigan Wolverine Ferry retired from the NFL in 2014 after a 14-year career. This played for seven teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and the New York Jets.
He spends his final 10 seasons at the booth, broadcasting CBS NFL games.
“I am grateful for the 10 years at @cbssports.” Feely wrote on x. “They took the kickers a chance and allowed them to be in the booth calling the NFL game (you can only do the second K after the legendary put summer all) and I had fun every minute.
The former kicker also served as a union officer for the league, the NFL Players Association, where he spent time on the body executive committee and fought for players’ insurance rights. f
Feely told ESPN that the high pressure situation he experienced as an NFL kicker (who won 332 out of 402 field goal attempts) and his broadcast gigs would help him adequately Congress.
“[I] I think one of your biggest jobs as a lawmaker is being able to communicate with your members, being able to talk about the issues that day and why you believe in the way you believe and how you can do it in a way that people can understand it,” he explained.
