Former Congressman & Football Star Jack Kemp Dies

Jack Kemp began his political career with nine terms as a Congressman for Western New York in 1971, after 13 years in pro football.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Well known Republican politician and former pro football player Jack Kemp, died Saturday in Bethesda, Maryland at the age of 73.

The longtime professional quarterback also served New York as a Congressman, ran as a Presidential Candidate, Cabinet Secretary and Vice Presidential Candidate. The LA Times reported an hour ago that he was at home when he passed away.

Jack Kemp first discovered that he had cancer in January. He became very ill very quickly which reportedly came as a major shock to those who knew him.

In the 1996 election, he was Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole's running mate for Vice President. He had previously contended for the presidential nomination in the 1988 Republican primaries.

Jack Kemp began his political career with nine terms as a Congressman for Western New York, from 1971 to 1989, and subsequently served as Housing Secretary in the George H. W. Bush administration.

Remembered as an economic conservative, he advocated low taxes and supply-side policies. Jack Kemp's positions spanned the social spectrum, ranging from his conservative opposition to abortion to his more libertarian stances advocating immigration reform.

He was a proponent of both Chicago school and supply-side economics and is notable as the molder of the Reagan agenda and the architect of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which is known as the Kemp–Roth tax cut.

As a professional quarterback for 13 years in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), and American Football League (AFL), Jack Kemp He served as captain of both the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills and earned the AFL Most Valuable Player award in 1965 after leading the Bills to a second consecutive championship.

He played in the AFL for all 10 years of its existence, appeared in its All-Star game seven times, played in its championship game five times, and set many of the league's career passing records. He also co-founded the AFL Players Association, for which he served five terms as president. During the early part of his football career, he served in the United States Army Reserve.

Jack Kemp remained active as a political advocate after office and also worked as a commentator. In addition to that, he served on corporate and non-profit organization boards.

The former Congressman also authored, co-authored, and edited several books, and always promoted American football and advocated for retired professional football players.