Ex-NFL Kicker Jay Feely Wins Arizona Congressional Primary

The guy who once nailed a game-winning field goal while Philadelphia Eagles fans mocked his worst misses on the Jumbotron is now running for Congress.

Jay Feely, who spent 14 seasons kicking for teams like the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, just won the Republican primary for Arizona's congressional district. He's competing for the seat currently held by retiring Rep. David Schweikert.

Feely says his toughest moments in football prepared him perfectly for politics. As an NFL kicker, every mistake plays out in front of millions, and every kick could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

"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 explained. Those skills matter just as much when you're trying to serve thousands of constituents with different needs and viewpoints.

But it wasn't just the pressure that shaped him. Feely credits his time in NFL locker rooms with teaching him how to connect across differences.

He remembers rooming with teammates LeVar Arrington and Brandon Short during his Giants days, playing chess and sharing stories about their vastly different life experiences. Those conversations broke down walls and built genuine understanding.

"Your job is to represent everybody, and I think those experiences certainly are an asset," he said.

The Ripple Effect

Feely isn't alone in making this transition. He worked alongside HUD Secretary Scott Turner through the NFL Players Association. Turner played cornerback for the Washington Redskins before serving in the Texas state legislature.

Turner says football taught him "discipline, teamwork, perseverance, humility, and working toward a mission bigger than yourself." Those values now guide how he leads his federal department.

Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas brought a different athletic background to Congress. The former MMA fighter with a 6-2 combined record has a memorable take on her career shift.

"Turns out getting punched in the face is pretty good preparation for Congress," Davids joked.

These athletes share something beyond physical talent: they've spent years performing under intense scrutiny, working with diverse teammates toward common goals, and bouncing back from very public failures. Those experiences create leaders who stay calm under pressure and know how to build coalitions.

Feely will face Democrat Amish Shah in the general election, who happens to be his former team doctor from his brief time with the New York Jets.

Whether you agree with their politics or not, watching athletes channel their competitive drive into public service shows that leadership skills are universal.