Jay Feely Biography
Jay Feely is an American former NFL placekicker, sports broadcaster, and Republican congressional candidate. He built a successful football career before transitioning into television and politics. His experience in professional sports and media has made him a recognizable public figure across the United States. In 2025, he entered politics by announcing a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona.
He later switched his campaign to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District for the 2026 election. Born Thomas James Feely on May 23, 1976, in Odessa, Florida, he developed a passion for football at an early age. He attended Jesuit High School before playing college football at the University of Michigan. There, he helped Michigan win the 1997 National Championship, which boosted his football career.
Although Feely went undrafted in 1999, he never gave up. Instead, he earned opportunities in the Arena Football League before reaching the NFL. During his professional career, he played for several teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Chicago Bears. He finished with 332 career field goals and an 82.6% field goal percentage.
After retiring from football, Jay Feely joined CBS Sports as an NFL analyst and reporter. He remained with the network until 2025. However, he left broadcasting after launching his congressional campaign. Today, he focuses on public service while promoting conservative policies on economic growth, border security, and fiscal responsibility.
Jay Feely is married to Rebecca Feely, and they have four children. The family lives in Arizona, where Feely continues his political campaign and community involvement.
Jay Feely Age
How Old Is Jay Feely?
Jay Feely is 50 years old as of 2026. He was born on May 23, 1976, in Odessa, Florida, United States. His age reflects more than two decades of success in professional football, sports broadcasting, and public service. After retiring from the NFL, Feely joined CBS Sports before launching his 2026 congressional campaign in Arizona. His extensive experience continues to shape his career in politics and public life.
Jay Feely’s Height
How Tall Is Jay Feely?
Jay Feely stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall. During his NFL career, he also weighed 208 pounds (94 kilograms). His height and athletic build helped him develop consistency as one of the league’s reliable placekickers. Moreover, Feely played 14 NFL seasons before becoming a CBS Sports analyst and later entering politics with his 2026 congressional campaign in Arizona.
Jay Feely Wife | Spouse
Who is Jay Feely married to?
Jay Feely’s wife is Rebecca Feely. The couple married on July 18, 1998 and have built a lasting marriage spanning more than two decades. Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan and later completed a master’s degree in Biology. She previously worked as a science teacher in Arizona. Meanwhile, the couple has four children, including Jace Feely, a college football kicker. They live in Arizona, where Jay Feely continues his 2026 congressional campaign and community involvement. Their family remains an important part of his public and personal life.
Jay Feely Kids | Son
How many kids does Jay Feely?
Jay Feely and his wife, Rebecca Feely, have four children. Their children are Alexandra (Lexi), Jace, Abigail, and Olivia Feely. Throughout the years, the family has supported Feely during his NFL career, broadcasting work, and public service. Jace Feely has followed his father’s football path and now plays college football as a kicker at the University of Colorado. Meanwhile, Lexi, Abigail, and Olivia prefer private lives away from public attention. The Feely family values education, faith, and community involvement. Their strong family bond has remained an important part of Jay Feely’s personal journey.
Jay Feely Education and Academic Background
Jay Feely attended Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, where he excelled in both football and soccer. After graduating, he enrolled at the University of Michigan to continue his education and football career. There, he played for the Wolverines and became part of the 1997 undefeated national championship team. His college experience strengthened his leadership, discipline, and competitive mindset. Jay Feely’s education provided the foundation for his successful NFL career and later opportunities in sports broadcasting and politics. Moreover, his time at Michigan remains one of the defining chapters of his early life and athletic development.
Jay Feely NFL Career
Jay Feely began his NFL career after going undrafted in the 1999 NFL Draft. He first played in the Arena Football League before earning an NFL opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. During 14 NFL seasons, he also represented the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Chicago Bears. Feely converted 332 of 402 field-goal attempts, finishing with an 82.6% career field-goal percentage. He also made 436 extra points during his professional career. After retiring in 2014, Feely transitioned into broadcasting as a CBS Sports NFL analyst before launching his campaign for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in 2026.
Jay Feely Career Timeline
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Born on May 23 in Odessa, Florida. |
| 1994 | Enrolled at the University of Michigan and joined the Wolverines football team. |
| 1997 | Helped Michigan win the NCAA National Championship as the team’s placekicker. |
| 1999 | Went undrafted and began his professional career with the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League. |
| 2001 | Signed with the Atlanta Falcons and made the Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team. |
| 2005 | Joined the New York Giants after four seasons with Atlanta. |
| 2007 | Played one season with the Miami Dolphins. |
| 2008 | Signed with the New York Jets and spent two seasons with the team. |
| 2010 | Joined the Arizona Cardinals, becoming one of the franchise’s most reliable kickers. |
| 2012 | Kicked a career-long 61-yard field goal while playing for Arizona. |
| 2014 | Finished his NFL career with the Chicago Bears and retired after 14 seasons. |
| 2015 | Began his broadcasting career with CBS Sports as a college football analyst. |
| 2017 | Became an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports’ NFL coverage. |
| 2025 | Left CBS Sports and announced his campaign for Congress. He later switched to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. |
| 2026 | Continues campaigning as a Republican candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House election. |
Jay Feely’s Religion
Feely is a Christian and has spoken openly about his faith. Throughout his NFL career and broadcasting work, he has credited his Christian beliefs for guiding important decisions. Moreover, Feely has discussed how prayer, family, and faith have shaped his personal life and leadership. A 2023 trip to Israel further strengthened his faith, according to his public interviews. He has also described his congressional campaign as a response to God’s calling to serve others through public office. Faith remains a central part of Jay Feely’s values, influencing his charitable work, family life, and approach to public service.
Jay Feely Political Party
Jay Feely is a member of the Republican Party. He officially entered politics by launching a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona. After adjusting his plans, he began running for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election as a Republican candidate. Feely supports conservative policies, including stronger border security, lower taxes, economic growth, and fiscal responsibility. He has also expressed support for President Donald Trump’s agenda during the campaign. Before entering politics, Feely spent 14 seasons in the NFL and later worked as a CBS Sports analyst. His political campaign marks the latest chapter in his public career.
Jay Feely Congress: Arizona’s 1st Congressional District Campaign in 2026
Jay Feely entered the congressional race after retiring from football and sports broadcasting. He is running as a Republican candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 U.S. House election. The seat became open after David Schweikert announced his campaign for Arizona governor. During his campaign, Feely has emphasized border security, economic growth, lower taxes, and fiscal responsibility. He also received support from President Donald Trump and joined a competitive Republican primary. Before entering politics, Feely spent 14 seasons in the NFL and later worked as a CBS Sports analyst. His campaign represents a major transition from sports to public service.
Jay Feely’s Policies
Jay Feely has centered his congressional campaign on several conservative policy priorities. He supports stronger border security and calls for completing the southern border wall. Additionally, he backs increased support for Border Patrol, ICE, and local law enforcement. Feely also promotes lower taxes, reduced government regulations, and expanded domestic manufacturing to strengthen the U.S. economy. Furthermore, he advocates for American energy independence by increasing oil and natural gas production. He also supports protecting women’s sports and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship. These policies form the foundation of Jay Feely’s campaign for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election.
Joseph Chaplik vs. Jay Feely Comparison Profile
| Category | Joseph Chaplik | Jay Feely |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Chaplik | Thomas James “Jay” Feely |
| Political Party | Republican | Republican |
| Office Sought | U.S. House, Arizona’s 1st Congressional District | U.S. House, Arizona’s 1st Congressional District |
| 2026 Election | Republican primary candidate | Republican primary candidate |
| Professional Background | Former Arizona State Representative | Former NFL kicker and CBS Sports analyst |
| Political Experience | Served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2021 to 2026 | First-time candidate for elected office |
| Legislative Experience | Yes | No |
| NFL Career | None | Played 14 NFL seasons for seven teams |
| Broadcasting Career | None | Former CBS Sports NFL analyst |
| Key Campaign Issues | Border security, lower taxes, government accountability, election integrity | Border security, lower taxes, economic growth, energy independence, fiscal responsibility |
| Notable Endorsements | Conservative grassroots organizations and local supporters | Endorsed by President Donald Trump |
| Political Strength | Legislative experience and established conservative voting record | National name recognition and strong sports media profile |
| Campaign Focus | Emphasizes proven conservative leadership in state government | Highlights leadership, teamwork, and public service through sports and media |
| Residence | Scottsdale, Arizona | Arizona |
| Biggest Advantage | Experience writing and voting on legislation | High public profile and broad voter recognition |
Jay Feely Net Worth
Jay Feely has an estimated net worth of $6 million as of 2026. He built his wealth through a 14-season NFL career, where he earned substantial salaries and performance bonuses. After retiring, he expanded his income by working as a CBS Sports NFL analyst. Additionally, Feely has benefited from speaking engagements and other business opportunities. His successful transitions from football to broadcasting and politics have helped maintain his financial stability and public profile.
