Ex-NFL Star Suffers Embarrassing Election Defeat Against His Former Team Doctor

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Another figure with a past in the NFL suffered a stunning loss on Tuesday after former NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya lost the United States Senate election in Minnesota. The 2026 midterm elections marked an historical event for the Democratic Party, which won control of Congress after taking over Republican-held House and Senate seats in Texas, South Carolina, Iowa, Michigan and Kansas.

As of Wednesday, Democrats had won 228 seats in the House of Representatives and led in 34 others, which marked their biggest strength since 1990. Additionally, they will have a clear majority in the Senate for the first time since 2008 after winning 54 seats and leading in another.

One of the Republican candidates who lost was Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker who received strong support before the election. GOP groups spent over $22 million to help Feely beat Democrat Amish Shah for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.

Jay Feely Lost to Democratic Candidate Who Also Had an NFL Connection

Shah had received approximately 55% of the vote compared to Feely’s 43% as of Tuesday night. Eli Kronenberg shared a unique connection between the two candidates.

While Feely kicked for the New York Jets, Shah worked as the team’s doctor.

Trump endorsed Feely for the seat, and multiple NFL owners backed him financially. The Federal Election Commission records show that Feely had numerous donors in the sports world. He received financial support from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ($7,000), New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft ($7,000), Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam ($7,000 each), Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton ($7,000), Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross ($5,000), Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill ($5,200), Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank ($3,500), New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson ($3,500), and Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones ($3,500).

After spending 14 seasons in the league, Feely switched careers, first becoming a reporter and then getting into politics. However, this year’s bid did not end as desired.