A former NFL kicker has officially punted his football career for a job on the Hill.
Will Batson has been hired as a legislative clerk for the House Energy and Commerce Committee under Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.). The University of North Alabama graduate spent the 2012 and 2013 NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals, respectively. During his professional career, he punted the pigskin five times in four games for 202 yards, averaging 40.4 yards per kick. Since the end of his career, he has trained other football kickers and interned for Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.).
The NFL has been under constant congressional scrutiny in the past year, particularly issues surrounding the Washington team name controversy, the league's handling of players' criminal behavior off the field and its television blackout policies. Yesterday, the league announced it voluntarily gave up its tax-exempt status after nearly 70 years. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) was quoted as saying the move, "seems more like a PR stunt than a real gain. The tax-exempt status produces a pittance compared to its congressional granted antitrust exemption - enabling billions in broadcast revenue."
Batson's new boss has received $30,000 from the NFL's Gridiron-PAC for his 2010 and 2012 campaigns.
