PICKENS — Former NFL player and coach Sam Wyche entered the political scene last year when he won a seat on Pickens County Council, and now some people want him to throw his hat into the national political arena.

Wyche told The Sentinel Friday that several people, on different occasions, have asked him to consider running for the Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Gresham Barrett, who is running for governor.

But he said he wants to do his homework and see what the job entails and determine if he would be a good fit before making a decision.

“I’m not sure if I’m the right guy for the spot,” he said. “I want to make sure I’d vote for myself before entering the race.”

Wyche said he is talking to friends, family and his pastor about the possibility of running; and he is consulting fellow politicians about the basic qualifications for the job.

He said having to move to Washington, D.C. would be a major factor to consider.

On the plus side, he said being a first-year county councilman was a “giant plus” for him, as well as the fact that he is not a Washington insider.

The former coach also said his years of NFL experience has taught him common sense, a trait he feels is the most important guide in public service – and one he said is often lacking in government.

But he plans to make a decision soon.

“If at some point too much time has passed, and I haven’t decided, that’s a strong indication I shouldn’t do it,” he said.

“If I had to say right now, chances are I won’t run and will eventually support the person I think is most qualified,” Wyche said, pointing out there are eight others planning to run for the office.

Along with being the Pickens representative on County Council, Wyche is also the chairman of the Pickens County Meals on Wheels board.

He played in the NFL for more than 20 years and took the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl in 1989.

The former coach also wrote a column in the early 2000s for the Pickens Sentinel called “kNOw Huddle.”