Two former professional athletes, Mark Teixeira and Jay Feely, have credited Fox News host Sean Hannity for inspiring their decisions to run for Congress as Republicans.

Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker and Republican candidate in Arizona's first congressional district, told Hannity on his "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, "It's your fault." He explained that both he and Teixeira began considering political office because of Hannity's show. Feely said, "I started going on your show doing the Great American Panel in New York and that's really when I really started thinking about it."

Feely pointed to Mark Teixeira, a former MLB player and congressional candidate in Texas, who also found motivation through Hannity's program. "He said he would go to your show and watch it and see it and meet people and that's when we both started," Feely added.

Teixeira was seen speaking with members of the Republican team during the annual Congressional Baseball Game on June 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Feely was photographed speaking to media outside a polling location in Fountain Hills, Arizona, during a primary election on July 21, 2026.

Their statements underscore the impact of media personalities on political engagement and candidacy decisions within the Republican Party.

Sources