MOBILE — Former University of Alabama and NFL quarterback AJ McCarron has thrown his helmet into the political arena, announcing his candidacy for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor.
“Alabama is my home — it’s made me who I am, and I feel led from above to give back to the state that has given me so much,” McCarron said today in a news release. “So if you’re ready for a new voice, a fresh perspective, and want Alabama to remain the nation’s conservative and moral leader, just remember one simple phrase — AJ for LG.”
McCarron, a college football analyst and real estate business owner, cited a desire to protect the state’s traditional values and conservative principles among his reasons for running.
He also said the late Charlie Kirk inspired his quest for office.
“His example convinced me to get off of the sidelines, get into the game, and stand tall for our conservative beliefs, so today, I’m announcing my candidacy for lieutenant governor of Alabama,” McCarron said in his statement. “The Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance.
“It’s time for political newcomers and outsider candidates like me to lead the battle.”
A Mobile native, McCarron helped lead the University of Alabama to back-to-back national championships in 2012 and 2013 as starting quarterback under head coach Nick Saban, who instilled in him proven principles of leadership and success, the news release said.
He still holds the Crimson Tide’s career passing yards record and won the 2013 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which recognizes the best NCAA upperclassman quarterback based on field performance, character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, and leadership qualities.
Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014, McCarron played nine seasons for the Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons.
McCarron also started as quarterback for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks and won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award before retiring from professional football late last year.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, the news release said, McCarron endorsed Donald Trump while taking his Cincinnati Bengals teammates to a rally at U.S. Bank Arena. He said Trump also inspired him to run for elected office.
Dedicated to his community and committed to character education, McCarron has personally led a free summer football camp for Alabama youths for each of the past 10 years, the news release said.
He co-owns McCarron Real Estate with his wife, Katherine Webb McCarron, who represented Alabama in the Miss USA pageant in 2012.
The McCarrons reside in Mobile and have three sons, ages 9, 6, and 4.
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