With 14 seasons in the NFL, former kicker Jay Feely knows a little something about how to come through in the clutch.

Now, he’s asking young Americans to do the same thing in order to save the country.

‘Prosperity cannot be created by government spending.’

Feely explained at the Republican Midterm Convention on Wednesday night that his bold turn to politics was a result of President Donald Trump’s courage on the day he was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Feely, the Republican candidate for the 1st Congressional District of Arizona, referenced the president having blood on his hand and ear as he stood up and “told this nation to fight.”

Feely told audience members at the convention that Trump’s actions forced him and his wife to think about what they could do for their country, eventually leading him to leave his “dream job” in football broadcasting and make a congressional run.

From there, the University of Michigan grad spoke about what he believes the next generation is up against: a Democratic Party leaning further to the left, looking to socialize the healthcare system and eliminate property rights.

The 50-year-old offered only blunt honesty in his remarks, saying the simple way to keep America prosperous is through hard work.

“History has proven prosperity cannot be created by government spending or political promises or an expanding bureaucracy,” Feely stated. “We need to be equally clear about where we stand. The answer is to restore the conditions that allow Americans to create prosperity.”

RELATED: Ready for prime time: GOP makes play to keep 2 toss-up seats red

Photo by Cassidy Araiza/Bloomberg via Getty Images

“We believe in freedom, opportunity, capitalism, and free markets,” the kicker went on. “Freedom doesn’t defend itself. Opportunity doesn’t defend itself.”

Feely is running against Democrat Amish Shah, born in Illinois to Indian immigrants.

The two candidates are sparring over the open Arizona seat left by Republican Rep. David Schweikert, who threw his hat in the ring for governor but lost the primary to Republican Rep. Andy Biggs in July.

Feely was joined on stage by Captain Mike Bouchard, the Republican candidate for the 10th Congressional District of Michigan.

Bouchard’s story is a wild one in that he was deployed in Iraq to fight ISIS in 2025 and has a decade of service in the military.

RELATED: The truth about child concussions, straight from an NFL trainer: ‘It’s not worth it’

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Both candidates argued that the next generation needs common-sense solutions that eliminate regulations, lower taxes, and create conditions that allow young people to purchase a home.

“We cannot tax our way to prosperity,” Feely reiterated, telling Gen Z that the work is not yet done.

Feely emphasized that young adults are not inheriting a “finished America.” Rather they are inheriting an opportunity to build the next company or create an invention and push the country toward greatness in the decades to come.

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Comedian and podcaster Adam Carolla blasted Democrats and praised freedom during a humorous speech at the Republican Midterm Convention on Wednesday.

Carolla, who is known for mocking and ridiculing left-wing policies, took his schtick to the convention in Dallas, Texas, and brought the house down.

‘I’m not an overly political person. I’m just a guy who lives in California and sees which way the wind is blowing.’

“All right. I would like to start tonight with a land acknowledgment,” Carolla began with laughter from the audience.

“This is the greatest land in the history of mankind!” he added. “And if that bothers you, you, your communist and hippie buddies should get the hell off it!”

He continued after much applause and cheering.

Carolla mocked the overregulation in the progressive haven of California.

“Could you imagine how long it would take to build the Golden Gate Bridge today in Gavin Newsom’s California?” he said a fan wrote him.

“I wrote back, ‘People who wanted to commit suicide would die of natural causes!'”

He later gave a rundown of the source of his political beliefs.

“Listen, I’m not an overly political person. I’m just a guy who lives in California and sees which way the wind is blowing,” Carolla said.

“And you don’t want California in your nation,” he added. “And that’s where the Democrats are trying to take this. All you do is pay taxes, and you get nothing in return. So, I’d like to shrink government a little bit, and let’s see if we can get a little more freedom going these days,” he added.

Carolla did get some boos from the audience when he addressed the presidential ambitions of Gavin Newsom at the end of his speech.

“There’s a part of me that almost wants Newsom to become president just so that he’ll get the hell out of California!” he said.

After allowing the audience to boo and jeer, Carolla continued.

“Just kidding. That fascist will never be president!” he joked.

RELATED: ‘He’s a buffoon’: Adam Carolla blasts Gavin Newsom and reveals he’s finally leaving California

Carolla’s entire speech can be viewed here.

Blaze News is offering live coverage of the convention on BlazeTV, which can be viewed above.

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UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje kept it real with attendees at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.

After a hype video about the UFC’s origins, Gaethje took to the stage to pump Americans full of national pride while providing some blunt honesty for those who need it.

‘I was fighting for America that night.’

It doesn’t get much more inspirational than a UFC champion hyping up the crowd, and when the lights shined down on the stage, Gaethje delivered as always.

The fighter likely frightened some audience members when he explained how he got his nickname, “The Highlight,” which he received after slamming an opponent unconscious in the first round of his first pro fight in 2011.

The Arizona native went on to tell the audience exactly what he believes makes him, the country, and President Donald Trump so successful: having the guts to chase a dream when everyone else “calls you crazy.”

From there, he called President Trump “the highlight in the world of politics” who “changed the hearts of millions” with the same grit and determination of a UFC fighter.

Noting that he believes “politics is a much nastier game than mixed martial arts,” Gaethje praised the president for treating every day like it’s fight day and winning that fight.

“In America, you never have to apologize for being a winner,” the champion declared.

RELATED: Joe Rogan & Shane Gillis say we’re never going back — and young men should listen

Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

Gaethje was joined on stage by middleweight fighter Bo Nickal from Colorado. Both athletes won their fights at the iconic UFC Freedom 250 held on the White House grounds.

Nickal praised Trump for holding the event and said it felt like he had the president in his corner the whole time.

Gaethje said the country has been “too good” to his family and that he felt compelled to put on an epic performance that night in June, where he won by TKO as a 6:1 underdog.

“I was fighting for America that night, and I was representing you,” the champion recalled.

“Nobody else” would have hosted the event, Gaethje said about Trump, while noting the whole ordeal did phenomenal things for his sport.

RELATED: The dark religion behind ‘manifesting’

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Nickal spoke about consistently challenging himself as an athlete before turning to God, which for him was a road less traveled. Since, Nickal said he has learned to “prioritize my faith, my family, [and] my character above successes and failures.”

This path, which has been carved out by God, has taught him the most important things in life are to be a good husband and father.

“This doesn’t make me soft. This doesn’t make me less competitive,” Nickal said, citing his White House performance.

Gaethje finished by telling Americans that the future is at stake and plainly put forth his hopes for the upcoming midterms.

“I want to live under a conservative government in a free and capitalist society,” the 37-year-old said.

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​Bo nickal, Ufc, Mixed martial arts, Donald trump, Justin gaethje, Ufc freedom 250, Sports 

On Wednesday, the first night of the Republican Midterm Convention, Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) gave a rousing speech touting Pennsylvania’s first steel mill in decades, small business growth for women, and working-class heroes. The message was clear: The Republican Party is now the home of the American worker, not just in Pennsylvania, but all across the nation.

After receiving a warm welcome to the stage from Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) via video, McCormick reminisced about his in-laws’ humble beginnings, fleeing from Egypt to Dallas in search of religious freedom and the American dream. They sought the same principles that originally took root in Philadelphia with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the people of Pennsylvania have upheld these ideals ever since.

‘ I refuse to surrender. President Trump refuses to surrender. This November, there can be no surrender.’

Eventually, McCormick recalled, Pennsylvania became the birthplace of the steel industry that ushered in the Industrial Revolution. Unfortunately, as time went on, the need for steel dwindled, and American manufacturing fell by the wayside, replaced by cheap Chinese goods.

Most recently, the Biden administration even blocked investments in U.S. steel to the detriment of thousands of Pennsylvanian jobs, McCormick said.

According to McCormick, that changes now.

McCormick vowed to confront China head-on by unleashing American energy, ingenuity, and talent. With Pittsburgh steelworkers at the forefront, McCormick said he has worked with President Donald Trump to create more than 100,000 jobs.

He also cut red tape to help small business owners and start-ups get a leg up, enabled Westinghouse to launch new nuclear power, and helped Lehigh Valley grow into a booming drug manufacturing hub.

He listed several other major accomplishments for his state:

Hanwha Group is investing $5 billion in a shipyard.$100 billion is going to energy, AI, and defense, along with tens of thousands of new jobs.Household incomes are up by $3,000.Taxes are down to let more Americans keep their money.Tips and overtime are tax-free.

“We call it the American dream,” McCormick declared. “You work hard. You play by the rules. And you build a good life for your family.”

McCormick lamented that both Democrats and Republicans held these values dear at one time, but the former have since lost their way. The Democrats no longer stand for working families, he said, excusing Nazi tattoos on fellow members of their party and radical commentators like Hasan Piker, who proclaimed that “America deserved 9/11.”

RELATED: WATCH: John Fetterman makes STUNNING surprise appearance at Republican Midterm Convention

Kent NISHIMURA/AFP/Getty Images

Real America looks quite different. McCormick recounted his time in the 82nd Airborne Division during his deployment to Iraq. His platoon was diverse in all the best ways: a Southern Baptist from Alabama, a black man from Newark, a farm boy from Kansas, a college dropout from Boston, and a platoon sergeant from Puerto Rico.

Americans — all of them different in the way they spoke, looked, and thought, but united by the same values, dream, and love for country.

He likened their spirit to the people of Pennsylvania — the steelworkers, shipbuilders, welders, police officers, firefighters, patriots.

To send the point home, McCormick invited an entire team of Pennsylvanian workers to the stage. Like his platoon, they were a mix of races, genders, and professions, but they all share something in common. They are Pennsylvanians. They are Americans.

McCormick ended his speech with a call to arms — a declaration that every Republican should take to heart and remember on Election Day:

The choice is clear. Will we dream heroic dreams and build a better future? Or will we surrender to socialism? Defeatism? Anti-Americanism?

I refuse to surrender. President Trump refuses to surrender. This November, there can be no surrender.

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s build an America worthy of our heroic dreams.

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Energy is high in the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas on Wednesday evening as the Republican Midterm Convention gets under way.

A near-constant stream of speakers, including candidates, politicians, and Trump administration officials have been highlighting GOP accomplishments and emphasizing the importance of turning out voters in November. Even though it is some time until President Donald Trump is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m. Central Time, the arena is already full.

‘We absolutely will not go back to open borders, but we absolutely will go back to common sense.’

On the convention floor, delegates from across the country have expressed enthusiasm and loud cheers.

Jan Lowry, a delegate from Virginia, told Blaze News the experience has been great so far: “I’m excited. I’m fired up. It’s been great to be here.”

Her message to GOP leadership echoed the general atmosphere of the convention: “Keep it up. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

Congressman Brandon Gill (R-Texas) received some of the loudest applause for his speech highlighting the differences between Republicans and Democrats: “It’s the mainstream vs. the extreme.”

Gill emphasized the GOP’s commitment to permanent results in electoral victories: “We absolutely will not go back to open borders, but we absolutely will go back to common sense.”

RELATED: Politeness is white supremacy? Republican catches woke Smithsonian director in her own anti-white trap

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The midterm convention has the same upbeat, festive atmosphere of a regular national party convention traditionally held before presidential elections. The floor is loud as the different delegations try to outdo each other in enthusiasm.

In the halls outside the arena, food stalls, press tables, and a busy merch store vie for the attention of thousands of guests, media, and various staff members circulating throughout the building.

Law enforcement presence is high, as resources from ICE, HSI, and the Dallas Police Department have been surged to the area to assist the Secret Service. Entire blocks around the American Airlines Center have been cordoned off to ensure safety for the president and other high-profile guests who will address the convention.

Trump is scheduled to take the stage this evening and is also expected to speak tomorrow as well, along with Vice President JD Vance.

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​Brandon gill, Democrats, Gop, Law enforcement, Midterm convention, Dallas, Donald trump, Jd vance, Politics 

A Democrat U.S. senator has made a stunning appearance at the Republican Midterm Convention and issued praise for his Republican counterpart while bashing socialism.

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania surprised the Republicans in attendance on Wednesday evening and appeared via video at the convention and introduced fellow Pennsylvania Sen. David McCormick (R).

‘We’ll work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley.’

“Yes, I’m Senator John Fetterman [of] Pennsylvania. Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today?” Fetterman says in the video while wearing his finest hoodie.

“Because while I’m a common-sense Democrat, I’m always going to stand with America. I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life,” he added.

Axios first reported the scoop about the stunning appearance by the Democrat.

“Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done. And he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania. I’m proud to count him as my friend,” Fetterman continues on the video.

“Right back over my shoulder, that’s the iconic U.S. Steel mill, and that’s exactly the kind of thing that we’ll work together, and we’ll work with President [Donald] Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley,” he added.

“I have this opportunity to introduce this great American, a great senator, and yes, he is in a different party, but I’m proud to count him as my great friend!” Fetterman concludes in the video.

Some speculated that Fetterman was going to use the occasion to announce a switch in party identification, but that did not happen.

RELATED: Liberals viciously attack John Fetterman for defending ICE: ‘F**k you, f**k your mom’

The first night of the convention will close with a keynote address from Trump before going on to the second day on Thursday.

Blaze Media is offering live coverage of the convention on BlazeTV, which can be viewed below:

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CNN’s Abby Phillip recently made an argument in favor of illegal immigrants that even her fellow panelists couldn’t handle: that it “does not matter” who commits a murder.

And BlazeTV host Pat Gray is shocked.

“Whenever the deaths of Americans, the murder of Americans, by anyone is brought up at this table, it is a horrible tragedy, OK, there’s no question about that,” Phillip argued.

“It’s preventable when it’s done by anyone. So whether it’s done by an illegal immigrant, a legal immigrant, an American citizen, it literally does not matter because all of those are horrible crimes and those people should be punished for them,” she added.

“Obviously, nobody’s saying otherwise, stupid. What a ridiculously asinine argument,” Gray comments.

“If you stop illegals, they won’t be here to kill anybody. So that’s completely preventable. Keep them out of the country. They don’t kill anyone,” he says.

“How do you respond to that kind of ignorance?” executive producer Keith Malinak asks.

“We’ve got killers in this country, so let other killers in too, to kill more people,” Gray adds. “How dumb is that theory?”

Want more from Pat Gray?

To enjoy more of Pat’s biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Abby phillip, Cnn, Illegal immigrants, Murder, Open borders, Pat gray, Blazetv show 

With midterm elections right around the corner, the first-ever Midterm Republican National Convention kicks off tonight in Dallas, where more than 50 speakers will highlight the administration’s legislative achievements and contrast them with Democrat policies.

Tonight’s session covers tax relief efforts, border security, mandatory voter ID through the SAVE America Act, GOP contenders in targeted congressional districts, public safety, and economic expansion. The night culminates with a keynote address from President Donald Trump.

WATCH LIVE: RNC Night 1 — Trump, Vance, Economic Relief & Midterm Contenders

Before Trump speaks, his administration is sending its heaviest hitters to Dallas. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will argue that the Trump economy is delivering lower taxes and a lower cost of living. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche closes out the 6 o’clock Central Time hour on government accountability, and Dr. Mehmet Oz opens the 7 o’clock hour with what the program calls a patient-first vision for American health care. Congressional leadership is stacked nearly back-to-back in the 4 o’clock hour: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).

The midterms are also a focus of the night. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton takes the stage in the 5 p.m. CT hour as a Senate candidate, preceded in the 4 p.m. CT hour by Michael Whatley, running for Senate in North Carolina, and followed later by Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), who is running for Senate.

Collins draws the most emotionally loaded segment of the evening, appearing after a five-minute video package on Laken Riley alongside Allyson Phillips and Riley’s family.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), the Republican candidate for Florida governor, will highlight red-state success against blue-state failure. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) will talk about Pennsylvania steel and the 11,000 jobs Republicans lead the fight to save. Filling out the House bench are Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), and Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.).

​Border security, Cost of living, House majority leader, Midterm elections, North carolina, President donald trump, Save america act, Voter id, Politics