Former NFL and MLB Players Cite Sean Hannity as Spark for Congressional Bids
Former NFL kicker Jay Feely and ex-Yankees star Mark Teixeira told Sean Hannity that his show inspired them to run as Republicans for Congress in Arizona and Texas.
On Sean Hannity’s "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, former NFL kicker Jay Feely blamed the host’s program for sparking his decision to run for Congress as a Republican in Arizona’s first district. Feely explained that after appearing on Hannity’s Great American Panel in New York, he began entertaining the idea of public office. He pointed to former Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who was seated beside him, as another athlete who was motivated by watching Hannity’s show and meeting people there.
Teixeira, a 14-year MLB veteran and 2009 World Series champion, is now seeking the Republican nomination for Texas’s 21st congressional district. The two former sports stars said the podcast’s discussions helped them channel their competitive drive toward a political career. The full interview is available on iHeartRadio, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other platforms.
Why it matters
It shows how media personalities can influence athletes to enter politics, potentially reshaping electoral contests.
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