Trump Reaffirms Support for Former NFL Kicker Jay Feely as Arizona Congressional Campaign Gains Momentum
Former NFL kicker Jay Feely has publicly welcomed President Donald Trump’s endorsement as his campaign for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District enters its final stretch before the Republican primary election.
In a message shared on social media, Feely thanked President Trump for backing his campaign and said he is prepared to work hard for Arizona if elected to Congress. He said he is committed to delivering meaningful results for the state’s residents and encouraged voters to support his campaign in the upcoming primary election.
President Trump also reaffirmed his support for Feely in a detailed statement shared on Truth Social. In his endorsement, Trump described Feely as an “America First Patriot” and praised both his football career and personal character. He highlighted Feely’s achievements during his time in the National Football League, calling him a winner both on and off the field.
Trump also pointed to Feely’s reputation as a family man, describing him as a devoted husband and father. He concluded the endorsement by giving Feely his full support, expressing confidence that he would effectively represent the people of Arizona if elected to Congress.
Feely’s campaign has also attracted financial support from several well-known figures in the sports world.
According to campaign finance records cited in the provided information, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell donated a total of $7,000 to Feely’s campaign. The contributions were divided equally between the primary election and the general election, which follows federal campaign contribution limits for candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The campaign has also received support from NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Although Barkley has been known as a vocal critic of President Trump, public Federal Election Commission records show that he contributed to Feely’s congressional campaign.
Additional financial backing has come from the Bidwill family, owners of the Arizona Cardinals. Michael Bidwill, Nicole Bidwill, and Tim Bidwill collectively contributed $17,000 to the campaign.
Other notable supporters include New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and longtime sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, who previously worked alongside Feely during his time as a CBS sports analyst.
Feely is seeking the Republican nomination for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election. His campaign combines his background as a professional athlete with his commitment to public service as he competes for a seat in Congress.
Before entering politics, Feely built a successful NFL career spanning 14 seasons. He played in 211 regular-season games while representing seven different franchises across the league.
After joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Michigan, Feely developed into one of the league’s most dependable kickers. He led the NFL in field goals made during the 2002 season while playing for the Atlanta Falcons and later earned Pro Bowl honors in 2005 as a member of the New York Giants.
With the Republican primary approaching, Trump’s endorsement adds significant political support to Feely’s campaign, while endorsements and campaign contributions from prominent figures across professional sports continue to draw attention to Arizona’s closely watched congressional race.
Sources
- Official statement by President Donald Trump on Truth Social
- Federal Election Commission (FEC)
- Official campaign statements by Jay Feely
- Public campaign finance records
