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Sports Spectrum Podcast

Launched in 2017 and now with over 5 million downloads, Sports Spectrum's podcast features stories on the intersection of sports and faith. Hosted by former ESPN Senior Producer Jason Romano, new conversations drop multiple times each week.
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Now displaying: July, 2017
Jul 28, 2017

Matt Forte is entering his 10th NFL season in 2017. He was selected in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Bears. He spent 8 years in Chicago before signing a deal with the New York Jets.

Forte is a two-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for almost 9,500 yards in his 10-year career. 

In 2014, Matt became the second player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 100 receptions in the same season. (LaDanian Tomlinson in 2003 was the first to ever do it)

Married to his wife Danielle and Father to Nala and Matthew, Forte is a believer in Jesus who believes in giving back to the community. 

In 2013, he and Danielle established The Matt Forte “What’s Your Forte?” Foundation after learning that 14.7 % of Chicago’s high school dropouts were incarcerated, and nearly 42,000 teens did not receive high school diplomas.

You can learn more about Matt's foundation at http://WhatsyourForte.org

In this episode of the podcast, Matt shares about the NFL transition from Chicago to New York, where his faith in Jesus began, why using his platform to point people back to Jesus is important to him, and what it means to be a husband and a Dad. 

To become a member and partner with us, sign up at http://SportsSpectrum.com

Jul 25, 2017

Robby is the Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church. 

For three years, he battled a drug addiction that ravaged his life. A $180 a day heroine and cocaine addiction forced him to steal $15,000 from his parents. After living without gas, electricity, and water for months, losing 8 of his friends to drug related deaths, watching 6 friends arrested, and completing two rehab treatments, Robby remembered the gospel that was shared with him by a friend in college and was radically saved on November 12, 2002.

Eight months later, David Platt, a seminary student and church member at the time, asked Robby to meet weekly for accountability, prayer, and bible study. For the next 2 years, David installed a passion for missions, expository preaching, and disciple-making in his life. He also encouraged Robby to go back to school to pursue theological education.

Robby completed his Masters of Divinity Degree in Expository Preaching in 2007 and his Ph.D. in Preaching in 2011 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Today, Robby’s passion is to share the gospel with everyone and “make disciples who make disciples.”

In addition to his leadership at Long Hollow, Robby is also the founder of Replicate Ministries and the author of several books, including his latest "The Forgotten Jesus."

On this episode of the podcast, Robby shares his incredible story of restoration from a life of addiction, how he became a pastor, his love for MMA, the culture of sports and faith and his passion to see disciples of Jesus making disciples of Jesus. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Jul 21, 2017

Alfred Morris is an NFL running back. In 2016, he was with the Dallas Cowboys as a backup to rookie sensation Ezekiel Elliott. Prior to that, he played 4 seasons with the Washington Redskins as their starter. 

In 2012, Morris was selected in the 6th round by the Redskins out of Florida Atlantic. Along with fellow rookie Robert Griffin III, Alfred took the NFL by storm, rushing for a Washington team record, 1,613 yards. He also scored 13 touchdowns and helped lead his team to an NFC East Division Title. He capped his dream rookie season off with being named to the 2012 NFL All-Rookie Team, as well as a trip to play in the 2013 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. 

Morris continued to have success in 2013 and 2014, rushing for a combined 2,300 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He played his final season in 2015 with the Redskins before signing as a free agent with the Cowboys in March of 2016. 

Despite being ability to afford a new car, he still drives his 1991 Mazda 626, which he nicknamed "Bentley."

On this episode of the podcast, Alfred Morris shares the story of his Dad coming to Christ, why his toughest season in the NFL on the field, was his most joyous away from the field, why he still drives his 1991 Mazda 626 and his desire to share the gospel with as many people that will listen.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com

 

Jul 18, 2017

Ethan Chapman was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 30th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft. 

He played his college baseball at Cal State San Bernadino, a Division 2 school, and set the school's single-season record with 60 runs scored as a freshman in 2010. He earned second-team All-West Region honors as well as the ABCA West Region Gold Glove Award in his final season. 

Over the past 5 years, Ethan’s minor league travels have taken him all over the United States. Places like Idaho to Northwest Arkansas to Reading, Pennsylvania. Small towns, with big dreams.

Ethan’s dream to make it to the Big League level hasn’t happened yet.

This past Winter, Ethan signed to play 2017 in the Mexican League (AAA level) with the Vaqueros Union Laguna club. 

Ethan has also contributed a weekly entry to SportsSpectrum.com for the 2017 season, documenting his time playing minor league baseball in the Mexican League with the Vaqueros Union Laguna club. 

On this episode of the podcast, Ethan talks about the unglamorous life that is minor league baseball, his dream to reach the big leagues, where his faith in Jesus began and what the day was like for him being drafted by the Kansas City Royals. 

 

Jul 14, 2017

Hugh Freeze is the head football coach at the University of Mississippi.

Since being named as the head man at Ole Miss in December of 2011, Freeze has become the first coach in school history to guide the Rebels to a bowl game in each of his first four seasons, including wins in the BBVA Compass, Music City and Sugar.

Ole Miss is one of five programs in the country (along with Alabama, Florida State, Michigan State and Ohio State) to make consecutive New Year’s Six bowl appearances in the first two years of the College Football Playoff system.

Freeze is a devoted husband and father who is unashamed of his faith in Jesus Christ.

On this episode of the podcast, Freeze shares about how he became a follower of Christ, his coaching journey, being outspoken about his faith, what it means to be a relational coach, balancing coaching life with family life, and how he deals with scrutiny and adversity when things don't go the way you planned.

Jul 11, 2017

Robby Shaffer is a drummer with the highly successful Christian band MercyMe.

He joined the band in 1997 and has been a staple of the band ever since.

MercyMe has sold more than 9 million units on CD, single and DVD sales and garnered more than 28 No. 1 multi-format Christian radio singles.

They have sold out venues across the U.S. and Canada and have appeared on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox News, CNN and ABC News.

Their ninth studio album, "LIFER" is out now and their first single, "EVEN IF" has been played on radio stations across the country.

On this episode of the podcast, Robby shares with us how he became a part of the band, how he ended up sneaking Bibles into China as a teen, his LOVE for baseball, getting to take batting practice at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, how his faith was tested during his teen years, and how they choose which songs to play on tour.

We are also giving you a chance to win MercyMe's new album "LIFER" -- Listen to the podcast to find out details how you can win your own copy of the CD.

To partner with us, log on to http://SportSpectrum.com 

Jul 7, 2017

Ted Barrett has been umpiring Major League Baseball Games since 1994.

He became a full-time MLB umpire in 1999.

Ted is the only umpire to ever be behind the plate for TWO perfect games. (David Cone in 1999 and Matt Cain in 2012)

He has umpired in 3 World Series including the Red Sox Championship in 2007, the Cardinals title in 2011 and the Giants beating the Royals to win it all in 2014.

Barrett is an ordained minister and recently completed his doctorate in theology.

He is the co-founder of CALLING FOR CHRIST, a ministry serving professional baseball umpires.

On this episode of the podcast, Ted Barrett takes us behind the curtain to what life is really like as an MLB Umpire. We also look back at his most memorable games as well as what it's like to be behind the the plate for a World Series. Ted's faith is strong and his story of faith is certain to inspire.

Jul 3, 2017

Louie Giglio is the pastor of Passion City Church and the founder of the Passion movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus.

Since 1997, Passion has gathered collegiate-aged young people in events across the U.S. and around the world. Most recently, Passion 2017 gathered more than 55,000 students in Atlanta's Georgia Dome in one of the largest collegiate gatherings in its history.

Louie is a passionate sports fan, who lives and dies with his Auburn Tigers football team. He's also a huge fan of Atlanta sports, including the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons. Giglio pastors tons of athletes in their walk with Jesus Christ and even started Passion City Church with a former NFL kicker, Todd Peterson.

Giglio has authored four books including "The Comeback," "The Air I Breathe," and his latest "Goliath Must Fall."

Louie and his wife Shelley make their home in Atlanta.

On this episode of the podcast, Louie Giglio shares why he began the Passion movement, planting a church at 50 years old, his love for the Auburn Tigers, why he wrote "Goliath Must Fall" and whether or not he's gotten over the Falcons Super Bowl loss to the Patriots.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com

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