Former NFL kicker Jay Feely made the case for Stephen A. Smith to run as a Democrat in the next presidential election.
Feely, who launched a congressional bid for an open seat in Arizona, joined NewsNation’s “The Hill” on Wednesday to discuss the Trump administration and future races.
Host Blake Burman asked him about political outsider ESPN host Stephen A. Smith, who has thrown around the idea of running in the 2028 election.
“I respect his talent that he has in communicating, because he is an excellent communicator, and he has a way of making that gut value connection with people,” Feely said.
“I would revel in sitting on the opposite side of Stephen A. Smith on a debate stage and us going at it when it comes to political issues and matters that the American people really care about, rather than just sports issues,” he added.
Feely was an advocate for non-traditional people entering politics, like Smith, and those who know how to communicate well.
“It’s really about being able to have a vision, communicate that vision and for American people to believe in you,” he said. “I think what the American people want the most, they want transparency, and they want people to be honest about what they believe.”
Feely announced his congressional campaign last week. He’s running to succeed Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who is looking to be the state’s next governor.
Feely played in the NFL for more than 10 years for various teams including the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. He later became a sports analyst.
He’s a supporter of President Trump and said Wednesday that he loves what the president has done during his first 100 days back in office. Feely highlighted the administration’s efforts to secure the border and crackdown on immigration, in addition to other measures.
“What he’s trying to do, to get rid of [diversity, equity and inclusion], to change … gender laws and protect our girls, should be applauded by everyone,” he said. “And you know, I’ll be one of those guys that fights for his agenda, believes in his agenda and is an advocate for him.”
Feely said he was upset by various things happening across the country but it wasn’t until Trump was nearly assassinated at a campaign rally last year that he started to think about what more he could do and seriously considered running for office.
Feely has lived in Arizona for many years and valued the community in Bigg’s 5th Congressional District.
“I wanted to do something that had more meaning, and I felt like running for office was the time now,” he said.
He made a case for a political outsider like him to enter the sphere because there must be fewer self-serving politicians and more civil servants.
“That what I’ve done my whole life. That’s what I did when I was playing football, trying to use that platform. That’s what I’ll do when I’m in politics in Congress, is try to represent my constituents and represent this country and try to make us better,” Feely said.