Congressional Football Players—PICTURES

Updated: February 3, 2012 | 4:47 p.m.
February 3, 2012 | 4:20 p.m.

On the eve of the Super Bowl, take a look at these members of Congress who also had success on the gridiron.

Rep. Jon Runyan, R-N.J., took office in 2011. In 1996 he was drafted by the Houston Oilers. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Diego Chargers before retiring from the NFL in 2009.

PHOTO: MEL EVANS/AP

Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., took office in 2007, but will retire at the end of his current term. Shuler was a first-round draft pick for the Washington Redskins in 1994 and retired from the NFL in 1998.

PHOTO: CHUCK BURTON/AP

Republican Tom Osborne served in the U.S. House as a representative from Nebraska from 2001-2007 and left office for an unsuccessful challenge for the Nebraska governorship. Osborne was the head coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team for 25 years (1973-97) and now serves as the university's athletic director.

PHOTO: DAVE WEAVER/AP

Former Rep. Steve Largent, R-Okla., served in the House from 1994 to 2002. Largent played his entire NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks (1977-89) and in 1995 was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

PHOTO: RICK BOWNER/AP

Former Rep. Jack Kemp, R-N.Y., served in the House from 1971-1989 and was the secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1989-1993. In 1988 he ran for the presidency and in 1996 he ran as Bob Dole's vice presidential candidate. Kemp played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the San Diego Charges, and the Buffalo Bills. Kemp died in 2009 and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

PHOTO: JOHN VINCENT/AP

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for National Journal’s AM & PM Must Reads. News and analysis to ensure you don’t miss a thing.