Jay Riemersma For Congress

Interview
Jay Riemersma was recently interviewed by his former classmate, and Audio Memories creator, Dave Boeve.  Listen in as Jay talks about his family and the lessons and values that shaped his character.
Podcast re-published from AudioMemories with permission.

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West Michigan Roots

Born in Evansville, Jay Riemersma grew up in Zeeland, Michigan. Jay was raised in a Christian home, and his parents instilled in him the importance of character and of standing for your beliefs. It was this emphasis on character and integrity he received at home, coupled with a natural athletic ability that prepared Jay to become a leader in the classroom and on the football field where he set several records as Zeeland’s quarterback.

After graduating from Zeeland High School in 1991 as a stand out scholar athlete, Jay went on to study and play football at the University of Michigan. While completing his degree at U of M, Jay twice earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference awards.  Recruited as a quarterback, and singled out by his coaches and teammates as a leader, Jay was settling into his role at U of M when the rug was pulled out from under him.

An Injury and an Opportunity

When Jay tore his rotator cuff, the doctors told him that he would no longer be able to play quarterback, and that his football career could very well be over.  But giving up was not in Jay’s nature.  Jay decided to stick with it and learn a new position–ultimately becoming Michigan’s starting tight end.  Only in hindsight does Jay point to his injury as divine providence as it radically altered the trajectory of his career.

Upon graduation in 1995, Jay married his high school sweetheart, Cara, and was drafted as a tight end by the Buffalo Bills.  They settled in Buffalo and started their family.  After seven seasons with the Bills learning under the leadership of hall of fame great Marv Levy, Jay joined the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Two years and one torn achilles later, Jay retired from the NFL and moved back to West Michigan with Cara to raise their family.  Jay soon began coaching football for Zeeland East High School, and pursuing his Masters in Educational Leadership at Grand Valley State University.  As a coach and mentor, Jay emphasized character and integrity on and off the field.

Standing for Our Values

When the opportunity arose several years later to serve with the Family Research Council, one of the nation’s leading conservative advocacy groups, Jay jumped at the chance to take on a new challenge and champion traditional values in the public arena.  While some may think it a peculiar path from football to public policy, it’s insightful to know that while his teammates tuned in to Sports Center, Jay was more often found watching Meet the Press and CNN. Having become a Christian at an early age, Jay’s parents helped him understand the importance of integrating his faith with all of life–including his politics.  This influenced his choice of studies at U of M, but also directly impacted how he viewed his career in the NFL.

For good or ill, professional athletes are given a public platform due to the very public nature of their profession.  Jay recognized the opportunity he’d been given, and was very intentional about championing the issues most important to him. As a regular speaker at father & son retreats, leadership breakfasts, and community events, Jay stressed the importance of faith, personal integrity, hard work, responsibility, prioritizing marriage and fatherhood, and the sacredness of life.  The limelight of an NFL career did not change Jay Riemersma; he didn’t hedge his convictions or stick to the “safe” issues.  Rather, he stood strongly for what he believed in and let the chips fall where they may.  While serving as a regional director for Family Research Council for the last several years, Jay has continued to advance the values of faith, family and freedom in our nation’s public policy.  From pro-athlete, to coach, to public policy advocate, Jay has a history of leadership and unequivocally standing for what he believes.

Strong Conservative Leadership

As a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District, Jay believes that big ideas, not big government, are needed now more than ever to address the challenges facing our nation.  Our economic troubles can’t be remedied by throwing good money after bad and increasing taxes on those who create the jobs Michigan truly needs.  The moral crisis facing our nation can’t be addressed by politicians lacking the personal integrity to provide genuine leadership.  And our enemies must understand that aggression against the United States or our allies will be met with steely resolve and an overwhelming show of force.  Having stood in (and withstood) the national spotlight, Jay Riemersma is uniquely prepared to represent Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District with a fresh voice, and bold leadership on the issues and values that matter to west Michigan.

Jay and his wife Cara have three children – Sophie (9), Trip (6) and Nick (4) and reside in Holland.  They are active members of Parkside Bible Church.  Jay is a member of the Holland Rotary, and also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross.