Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2009; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens (11) and New York Jets PK Jay Feely (3) celebrate Feely's field goal during the second half at Giants Stadium. The Jets defeated the Panthers 17-6.
Jay Feely spent more than a decade in the NFL kicking field goals for various franchises, including a two-year stint with New York Jets in both 2008 and 2009.
After retiring in 2014, Feely has largely kept a low profile, working on and off for CBS Sports Network covering college football and the NFL.
But in 2025, Feely announced his intent to run for Congress as a Republican in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. And after winning his primary against Joseph Chaplik and John Trobough, he’ll now square off against a familiar foe in the general election.
Jay Feely Is Running For Congress Against His Former Team Doctor
Feely’s opponent in November’s general election is Amish Shah, who served as a state representative from the 5th district from 2019-2024.
But before entering a career in politics, Shah worked in sports medicine, where he just so happened to serve as the team physician for the New York Jets while Feely was playing for them.
Former NFL kicker Jay Feely has won the Republican primary for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District and will advance to the general election in November.
He’ll now face Democrat Amish Shah, who was the team doctor when Feely played for the New York Jets from 2008-09. pic.twitter.com/PzSUcbVTjE
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 23, 2026
Both are hoping to replace Republican David Schweikert, who withdrew his bid for re-election in order to run for Governor but was eliminated in the primary.
Cook Political Report has the race between Feely and Shah as a toss-up, but the winner could be key to determining the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Neither Feely nor Shah has commented on the race or their previous affiliation at this point.