• Former NFL kicker Jay Feely is running for Congress in Arizona's 5th District.
• Feely is motivated by a desire to serve and support of President Trump.
• His platform focuses on the economy and border security.

Former NFL kicker Jay Feely is officially running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona's fifth congressional district, aiming to fill the seat currently held by Rep. Andy Biggs, who is vacating it to pursue the gubernatorial race. Feely, 48, expressed excitement about his political ambitions, stating, "I think that I feel God's calling pressing me into service," emphasizing a commitment to public service over personal gain, according to Reuters and The Hill.

Running as a Republican, Feely's campaign will emphasize border security and economic issues. He has openly identified as a "staunch supporter of President Donald Trump," aligning with conservative values throughout his campaign materials. His website highlights a commitment to "put America First," and he promises to work on issues such as mass deportations for violent offenders. Feely also references his history on the NFL Players Association Executive Committee, where he represented players in negotiations, according to The Hill and HuffPost.

Feely attributes his decision to run for office significantly to a transformative moment: the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania last summer. He noted this event prompted him to "start asking yourself, what am I doing and can I do more?" thus awakening a deeper interest in public service. Previously, he had discussions about running for office with Trump and Rep. Jim Jordan at Mar-a-Lago but felt it wasn't the right time until the violent incident shifted his perspective, as mentioned in reports from Reuters and HuffPost.

Feely, who has spent a decade as a sports analyst following his retirement as a player, is not the only candidate vying for the seat; he faces competition from former state Rep. Travis Grantham. Nevertheless, he has already secured significant endorsements, including one from Rep. Jim Jordan, bolstering his credibility as a candidate as he prepares for the upcoming primary election in 2026, according to The Hill and Reuters.