Jon Runyan, who's been a standout offensive lineman in the NFL long enough that he has a Houston Oilers stint on his trading card, is calling it quits after this season. But whether he's trading up is a point for debate.

He wants to be a congressman. Specifically a 3rd District Republican Representative in New Jersey.

Runyan, currently plowing the way for LaDanian Thomlinson in San Diego, says concerns about federal spending are a big reason he wants to make a run for himself for a change. The 36-year-old lineman, who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, announced last month that he would retire from football after this season.

Speaking to The Associated Press by phone from San Diego on Friday, Runyan said a state assemblywoman called his wife to see if he would be interested in running for office. Runyan says he thought about politics a bit and, between that call and his growing concerns about federal spending, he says the time is right to seek office.

Runyan offered more of his views when he announced in November:

"I really believe it's not going in a positive direction right now. We're spending all sorts of money that we really don't have right now. Everything's going to be controlled by the government. hat's not what we need."