Jay Feely

Last updated

Jay Feely
Jay Feely by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Feely in 2015
No. 4, 2, 3
Position: Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1976-05-23) May 23, 1976 (age 48)
Odessa, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school: Jesuit (Tampa, Florida)
College: Michigan (1994–1998)
Undrafted: 1999
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Field goals made:332
Field goals attempted:402
Field goal %:82.6
Longest field goal:61
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Thomas James Feely (born May 23, 1976) is an American sportscaster and former professional football player. He started his playing career as a placekicker with the Florida Bobcats in the Arena Football League (AFL) as a free agent in 1999 before playing for several National Football League (NFL) teams. Since his retirement, Feely has worked as a reporter and analyst for CBS/Turner Sports.

Contents

Feely played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. He was also a member of the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm and in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Chicago Bears. He was a member of the Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team with the Falcons in 2001.

Early years

Feely attended Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. [1] While there, he set Hillsborough County career and season records for field goals and extra points. [1] Feely played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16 years old.[ citation needed ]

College career

Feely was a four-year letterman at the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1998. [1] As a senior in 1998, he converted 17 of 22 field goal attempts and 40 of 41 point-after attempts on his way to a mention for the All-Big Ten team. His longest career field goal was 51-yard kick against Baylor as a junior. He finished his career 20-for-26 in field goals and 43-for-44 in extra points. [1]

Professional career

Florida Bobcats

After going undrafted in the 1999 NFL draft, Feely kicked for the Florida Bobcats of the Arena Football League. [2] That season, he went 2-for-5 in field goal attempts and 8-for-13 in extra point attempts. He added three tackles (two solo) and forced a fumble. [2]

Tampa Bay Storm

Feely kicked for the Tampa Bay Storm in 2000, converting one of six field goal attempts and three of four extra point attempts. He returned one kickoff for 22 yards. [2]

Atlanta Falcons

In March 2001, Feely worked out for the Washington Redskins but was not signed. [3] On April 12, he signed a one-year, $209,000 contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Although Jake Arians had been expected to be the Falcons' placekicker during the 2001 season, Feely won the job. [3]

As a rookie with the Falcons in 2001, Feely converted 29 of 37 field goal attempts (78.4%) and all 28 extra point attempts. [1] He also converted 14 of 15 field goals away from the Georgia Dome. [1] His 115 points tied him with the Eagles' David Akers for second in the NFC, behind only Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins. [1] Feely converted a 55-yard attempt against the Arizona Cardinals on September 30. He also caught one pass for -2 yards from Falcons punter Chris Mohr on a fake field goal attempt. [1] For his performance during the season, Feely was a consensus all-rookie selection. [1]

An exclusive-rights free agent in the 2002 offseason, Feely was tendered a one-year, $300,000 contract by the Falcons on February 22. [3] He signed the deal on June 7. [3] That season, he converted 32 of 40 field goal attempts (80 percent) and all but one of 43 extra point attempts. [1] His 32 field goals tied him with Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Martín Gramática for most in the NFL. [1] It also broke Morten Andersen's previous franchise record of 31 set in 1995. [3] Feely earned NFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors after converting three field goals of more than 40 yards against the Carolina Panthers on October 20, and eventually earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors for converting 9 of 10 field goals and all nine points after touchdowns. In 2003, Feely converted 19 of 27 field goal attempts (70.4 percent) and 32 of 33 extra point attempts. [1]

On March 6, 2004, the Falcons re-signed Feely – a restricted free agent – to a one-year contract worth $628,000. [3] That season, he achieved a field goal percentage of 78.3 by converting 18 of 23 tries. [1] He connected on all 40 of his extra point attempts that season. [1] On September 19 against the St. Louis Rams, he recovered his own onside kick. [1] In two playoff games, Feely was a perfect 2-for-2 in field goals and 7-for-7 on PATs. [1]

New York Giants

An unrestricted free agent in the 2005 offseason, Feely signed a three-year deal with the New York Giants on March 12. [3] The contract included base salaries of $540,000 (2005), $545,000 (2006) and $550,000 (2007). [3] In a preseason game against the New York Jets that year, Feely scored all his team's points in a 15–14 victory by connecting on five field goals, including two over 50 yards. In week 12 in 2005 at the Seahawks however, Feely failed to connect on 3 consecutive potential game-winning field goals, and the Giants lost 24–21 despite compiling 490 yards total offense. The Giants ended up in a wild-card playoff game where they lost to Carolina. Feely broke the New York Giants franchise record for best field goal percentage over a two-year period. He had an 83% followed by an 85% year while with the Giants. [3]

Miami Dolphins

As a free agent in the 2007 offseason, the Miami Dolphins signed Feely to a three-year contract worth just under $5 million on March 8. [3] The team subsequently traded placekicker Olindo Mare to the New Orleans Saints on April 3. [4]

During his first season with the Dolphins, experienced the most productive season of his career and in franchise history. [1] He missed just two of his 23 field goal attempts, setting a new franchise record for field goal percentage at 91.3. The record had previously been 90.5 percent by Mare in 2001. Through the 2007 season, Feely had converted 164 straight extra point attempts and had created five recovered onside kicks. [1]

During the 2008 offseason, it was reported that new Dolphins Vice President Bill Parcells did not like Feely's outspoken nature and that he would not be assured a roster spot despite his 2007 success. [3] The Dolphins released fellow kicker Dave Rayner on June 6, leaving only undrafted rookie Dan Carpenter (Montana) to challenge Feely for the team's placekicking job in 2008. [5] He was released by the Dolphins on August 12, 2008.

Kansas City Chiefs

On August 25, 2008, Feely was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, and released one day later.[ why? ] [6]

New York Jets

After New York Jets kicker Mike Nugent was injured in the team's Week 1 contest against the Miami Dolphins, they signed Feely on September 8, 2008. On November 13, Feely kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal in overtime against the New England Patriots; the Jets took sole possession of first place in the AFC East for the first time since November 19, 2001.[ citation needed ]

Through 10 games, Feely had made 16 of his 20 field goal attempts (80.0%), with an average of 35.1 yards and a long of 55 yards and converted all 23 PATs for a total of 71 points. Feely reportedly began working out his upper body five days a week in the Jets new training facility, saying, "I work out hard in the weight room just so I don't get injured." His workout primarily centered on deadlifts. [7]

Feely in November 2008. Jay-Feely-Jets-vs-Rams-Nov-9-08.jpg
Feely in November 2008.

On March 4, 2009, Feely re-signed a one-year contract with the Jets. [8]

In Week Six of the 2009 season against the Buffalo Bills, Feely broke Pat Leahy's record of 23 consecutive field goals, hitting his 24th. However, he missed his next attempt in the second-quarter, leaving the team record at 24.

On December 21, 2009, Feely went 0–2 in field goal attempts. He "shanked" a 38-yard try and had a 37-yarder blocked, as the Jets lost to the Atlanta Falcons 10–7. [7] On January 9, 2010, Feely recorded his first career punt in a playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he was unexpectedly pressed into service after his teammate Steve Weatherford was sidelined with an irregular heartbeat. [9]

Arizona Cardinals

Feely signed with the Arizona Cardinals on April 2, 2010. [10] On December 12, 2010, Feely became just the fourth kicker in 40 years to run for a touchdown, scoring on a fake field goal against the Denver Broncos. Feely also kicked a career-high five field goals in the game. [11] Feely scored 25 points in that game, [lower-alpha 1] the most points scored by a player in a single game since October 21, 2007, when Rob Bironas scored 26 against the Houston Texans. On Christmas Day in 2010, Feely kicked a 48-yard field goal for a win over the Dallas Cowboys. On October 14, 2012, in a Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Feely hit a 61-yard field goal, setting a new career best. However, in the same game, his 38-yard field goal attempt was deflected with 3 seconds left in the fourth quarter, which the Cardinals went on to lose 16–19 in OT. Feely re-signed with the Cardinals for the 2014 season. [12] The Cardinals released Feely on August 25, 2014. [13]

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears signed Feely on December 3, 2014, as injury cover for Robbie Gould when he was considered doubtful for the game against the Dallas Cowboys. [14] Feely played the remaining four games of the season for the Chicago Bears, three of which were at Soldier Field. [15]

Career regular season statistics

In the media

Feely on First Take in 2010 Jay Feely ESPNWeekend2010-006.jpg
Feely on First Take in 2010

Feely appeared on ESPN First Take , and also with his wife Rebecca, on A Baby Story on TLC, which aired January 11, 2006. [3]

After missing three field goals for the Giants in an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in 2005, Feely was the subject of a Saturday Night Live sketch. [16] The NFL Films parody, entitled The Long Ride Home: The Jay Feely Story, featured comedian Dane Cook as Feely on the Giants' five-hour flight home from Seattle, where he is forced to land the plane through two large radio towers that look like field goal posts. [16]

Feely joined the CBS Sports Network in 2015 as a color analyst covering college football. [17] Beginning in 2017, Feely also served as a color commentator for CBS' NFL telecasts, working alongside Beth Mowins, the first full-time female NFL play-by-play announcer. [18] In 2018, he was set to be color analyst with play-by-play partner Mowins on the #8 team of NFL on CBS for Weeks 13 and 17, but he settled for sideline reporter for Weeks 10 and 17 as the #5 announcing team. He also joined neurosurgeon, CNN medical reporter and fellow Michigan alum Sanjay Gupta as a commentator on the Wolverines' TeamCast for the school's appearance in the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four, airing on TNT. [19] When he is not working as analyst, he is the reporter for the #4 team for the NFL on CBS. In 2021, Feely teamed up with Dedes and started on the #7 team of NFL on CBS for Week 1 while James Lofton was away; Andrew Catalon and Tiki Barber teamed up as the #6 announcing team, and Tom McCarthy and Aaron Taylor teamed up as the #5 announcing team. He and Dedes served the #6 team of NFL on CBS for the rest of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2023, Feely teamed up with Tom McCarthy and Lofton to stay at the #6 team.

Personal life

A number of Feely's family members have also been involved in sports. His grandfather, Thomas J. Feely was a college basketball and baseball coach for St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota from the early 1950s to 1984. He was inducted into the N.A.I.A. National Basketball Hall of Fame both as a coach and as a player.[ citation needed ]

Feely's father, Thomas J. "T.J." Feely, is a former College of St. Thomas running back and also a tennis coach who owns the Feely Kicking School of Tampa, Florida. Feely enjoys golf and has played with the Mater Dei golf team on multiple occasions. [20]

Feely and his wife, Rebecca, live in Arizona. The couple have four children, one of whom, Jace, is the kicker for the University of Colorado. [21] Feely is also close friends with former college teammates Tom Brady and Desmond Howard. [22]

Feely has appeared on Fox News' Hannity talking about his disagreements with President Barack Obama's policies and whether he is running for president. [23]

In 2011, Feely became a member of School of the Legends, and contributes to the organization with instructional videos, which focus on his position as a kicker. [24]

Feely is a supporter of President Donald Trump, and called it an honor to play golf with him on August 15, 2020. [25]

Notes

  1. Feely kicked five field goals, kicked four extra points and scored a touchdown. Final score was 43-13.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Elam</span> American football player (born 1970)

Jason Elam is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Denver Broncos. He was selected by Denver in the third round of the 1993 NFL draft and played 15 seasons with the Broncos and two with the Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Nugent</span> American football player (born 1982)

Michael Nugent is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he won the Lou Groza Award in 2004, and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. He was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft, and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Arizona Cardinals, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys, the Chicago Bears, the Oakland Raiders, and the New England Patriots during his 16-year career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Bryant</span> American football player (born 1975)

Steven Matt Bryant, nicknamed "Money Matt", is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Baylor Bears, and was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the AFL's Iowa Barnstormers in 2000. A Pro Bowler with the Falcons in 2016, he has also been a member of the New York Giants, Frankfurt Galaxy, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Florida Tuskers, and is among the most-accurate kickers in NFL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Gostkowski</span> American football player (born 1984)

Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. A member of the New England Patriots for most of his career, he is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Gostkowski played college football for the Memphis Tigers and was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Patriots, where he spent his first 14 seasons. In his final season, he played for the Tennessee Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Prater</span> American football player (born 1984)

Matthew Phillip Prater is an American professional football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal from 2013 until 2021 and holds the NFL record for most 50+ yard field goals in a career, 81 as of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Miami Dolphins season</span> 42nd season and lowest win total in franchise history

The 2007 season was the Miami Dolphins' 38th season in the National Football League, their 42nd overall, their the third and final under general manager Randy Mueller and first and only under head coach Cam Cameron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 New York Jets season</span> 2007 season of NFL team New York Jets

The 2007 season was the New York Jets' 38th in the National Football League (NFL), their 48th season overall and their second under head coach Eric Mangini. The team attempted to improve upon their 10 wins in the 2006 season, but only finished with a 4–12 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Folk</span> American football player (born 1984)

Nicholas Alexander Folk is an American professional football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats, where he received first-team All-Pacific-10 honors, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft. Folk was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Cowboys before playing his next seven seasons with the New York Jets and becoming the franchise's second-leading scorer. Following an unsuccessful stint on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Folk spent a year away from football before pursuing a comeback in 2019 with the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). Folk returned to the NFL the same year as a member of the New England Patriots and led the league in scoring during the 2021 season. He joined the Titans in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 New York Jets season</span> 2008 season of NFL team New York Jets

The 2008 New York Jets season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 49th season overall, and the third and final under head coach Eric Mangini. The team succeeded in improving upon their 4–12 record from 2007, but did not make the playoffs for the second straight season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Carpenter</span> American football player (born 1985)

Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 after playing college football for the University of Montana. He also played for the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connor Barth</span> American football player (born 1986)

Connor Thomas Barth is an American former professional football placekicker who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Bullock</span> American football player (born 1989)

Randy Bullock is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas A&M, and was recognized as the nation's best college football kicker and a consensus All-American. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft, after winning college football's Lou Groza Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Zuerlein</span> American football player (born 1987)

Gregory ZuerleinZUR-lyne, is an American professional football placekicker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played college football at Nebraska-Omaha and Missouri Western. He previously played for the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blair Walsh</span> American football player (born 1990)

Blair Richard Walsh is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. Walsh played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Maher (gridiron football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Brett Maher is an American professional football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Since turning professional in 2013, Maher has been a member of nine different National Football League (NFL) teams, and three Canadian Football League (CFL) teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandler Catanzaro</span> American football player (born 1991)

Chandler Catanzaro is an American former professional football placekicker. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and later played for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Clemson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Boswell</span> American football player (born 1991)

Christopher Lynn Boswell is an American professional football placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rice and was signed by the Houston Texans in 2014 as an undrafted free agent and has also spent time with the New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Younghoe Koo</span> Korean-American football player (born 1994)

Younghoe Koo is a South Korean-American professional football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2020 after leading the league in scoring that year. He is fourth on the NFL's all-time leaderboard in field goal percentage. Koo is also known for his ability to successfully execute onside kicks.

Jason Thomas Sanders is an American professional football kicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the New Mexico Lobos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Bass</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tyler Royce Bass is an American professional football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Southern and was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "TEAM: Roster Jay Feely Profile". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 "ArenaFan Online: Jay Feely". ArenaFanOnline.com. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "KFFL - Jay Feely, PK". KFFL.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  4. "Dolphins Acquire Saints Sixth-Round Pick For Olindo Mare". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  5. "Miami Dolphins cut kicker Dave Rayner". PalmBeachPost.com. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  6. Kansas City Chiefs release Jay Feely, news.yahoo.com; accessed August 16, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Profile, sports.yahoo.com;accessed August 16, 2015.
  8. Jets, Feely Agree to 1-Year Deal, SportingNews.com, March 4, 2009.
  9. Vecsey, George (January 10, 2010). "Jay Feely's Punting Is a Key to the Jets' Playoff Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  10. "FA kicker Jay Feely agrees to terms with Arizona Cardinals", The Red Zone, April 2, 2010.
  11. "Feely's TD, 5 field goals lead Arizona past Denver". Yahoo.com. December 12, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  12. "Veteran Kicker Jay Feely Staying with the Arizona Cardinals". Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  13. Cardinals release kicker Jay Feely, nfl.com; accessed August 16, 2015.
  14. "Bears sign kicker Jay Feely", nfl.com, December 3, 2014.
  15. "Jay Feely 2014 Game Log", pro-football-reference.com, December 28, 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Season 31: Dane Cook". NBC.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  17. "CBS Sports Network adds Jay Feely, announces 2015 college football schedule", CbsSports.com, August 19, 2015.
  18. "CBS reveals 2017 NFL broadcast teams, with Beth Mowins a surprise addition". August 15, 2017.
  19. Crawford, Kirkland (March 30, 2018). "Michigan in Final Four: Jay Feely, Dr. Sanjay Gupta on TNT 'TeamCast'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  20. Battista, Judy (August 7, 2005). "In Brother's Memory, Giants' Feely Perseveres". The New York Times. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  21. Brian Howell (September 9, 2023). "Recruiting: Former ASU kicker Jace Feely to transfer to CU Buffs". BuffZone. MediaNews Group. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  22. Norman Y. Lono (October 11, 2005). "Kicker and Wife Set for a Star to Be Born". The New York Times. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  23. Hannity's America, September 24, 2009.
  24. "Veteran Running Backs Offer Rookies Advice in Exclusive School of the Legends Interview". BusinessWire.com. June 3, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  25. @jayfeely (August 15, 2020). "Had the distinct honor to play golf..." (Tweet) via Twitter.