Right Pundits

Former Republican Vice Presidential candidate and NFL Quarterback Jack Kemp, has been diagnosed with cancer. Read his biography below, see photos and watch a video.

Jack Kemp

Today, it was announced that Jack Kemp is undergoing tests for cancer, reportedly in multiple places in his body, though the type of cancer is undisclosed. The course of treatment is apparently undetermined at this time.

“Mr. Kemp and his family are grateful for the thoughts and prayers of friends and appreciate respect for their privacy at this time.”

He went to the doctor late last year complaining of pain in his hip but was otherwise feeling fine. He has been making phone calls to friends and associates, letting them know the news directly from him.

House Republican Leader John Boehner said in a statement:

“Jack Kemp has inspired a generation of conservatives with his unyielding commitment to freedom and free-market policies.”

“Like millions of other Americans, I was saddened today to learn of his illness,” Boehner said. “My thoughts and prayers are with Jack, Joanne, and the Kemp family as Jack battles to defeat cancer. We need the strong, confident voice of Jack Kemp in the national dialogue as our country confronts the challenges that lie ahead.”

Jack Kemp, who is 73, has remained a strong voice in conservative circles since leaving elective politics. We, at Right Pundits, are wishing he and his family the very best.

Update 5/2/09: Jack Kemp has died today at the age of 73. He had announced in January 2009 that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He said he was undergoing tests but gave no other detail.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called Kemp “one of the nation’s most distinguished public servants, Jack was a powerful voice in American politics for more than four decades.”

Jack Kemp was a patriot. Our prayers to the Kemp family and friends.

Jack French Kemp, Jr. was born on July 13, 1935 in Los Angeles, California so his age is 73.

He is best know as a 9-term congressman and the Republican Vice Presidential Nominee who ran with Senator Bob Dole in 1996. Jack Kemp was also an NFL Quarterback and played for such teams as the Buffalo Bills and the San Diego Chargers.

Jack grew up in Los Angeles. He attended Occidental College because its football team used professional formations and plays, which would help him to become a professional quarterback. He graduated from Occidental in 1957 and married Joanne Main, his college sweetheart.

Jack Kemp was a 17th-round 1957 NFL Draft choice by the Detroit Lions, but was cut from the team before the 1957 NFL season began. He spent 1957 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 1958 on the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. His pro career continued through 1970 with many different teams and a number of awards.

In 1970, he ran for congress, representing New York for the first time, though he had been a volunteer on many other campaigns including Barry Goldwater’s presidential and Ronald Reagan’s governors’ race. He served in congress through 1989 after an unsuccessful run for the White House in 1988. After the election of George H. W. Bush, Jack was selected for his cabinet as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 1989-1993. In 1996, he was Senator Bob Dole’s running mate in an unsuccessful bid for the White House.

In 1993, Jack co-founded Empower America, a free-market advocacy group. He has also served on a number of corporate and advisory boards including NFL Charities.

Jack and Joanne Kemp have 2 sons who were also pro football Quarterbacks, and 2 daughters. They also have 17 grandchildren.

Jack Kemp Photos