Former WVU football player, Sen. Joe Manchin ranked among his party’s most valuable politicians, helping deliver large parts of Joe Biden’s agenda in a narrowly divided Senate.
Joe Manchin football career: Did Joe Manchin play football? Why did Joe Manchin stop playing football?
Manchin entered West Virginia University on a football scholarship in 1965, during the Vietnam draft era, and had a football injury that ended his playing. Manchin graduated in 1970 with a degree in business administration and went to work for his family’s business.
Manchin has been a close friend of Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban since childhood. In 1988, Manchin founded Enersystems, a waste coal brokerage company based in Fairmont, West Virginia. Manchin was president of Enersystems until 2000.
Manchin’s decision to quit Washington comes as a formidable potential Republican challenger, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, leads in both primary and general election polls. If the GOP captures the seat.
Manchin’s decision likely reflects a view that he won’t be able to secure reelection. And if Manchin can’t win in the MAGA stronghold of West Virginia, it’s impossible to believe any other Democrat can.
