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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: February, 2018
Feb 28, 2018

After playing 10 seasons in the NFL, running back Matt Forte has announced his retirement from professional football.

On this bonus episode of the podcast, Matt shares exclusively with Sports Spectrum why he decided to retire, the role his faith in Christ played in his decision, his favorite memory as an NFL player, his love for the Chicago Bears fans and why preaching the Gospel and making disciples is his number one priority in retirement. 

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

Feb 27, 2018

2017 was the greatest season in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles franchise as they won their first ever Super Bowl. 

On the field, the Eagles dealt with a ton of adversity overcoming injuries to key players including their starting QB Carson Wentz. Off the field though, a spiritual awakening took place and started to take shape this year. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to 5 members of that Super Bowl winning team, WR Torrey Smith, TE Trey Burton, OL Stefen Wisniewski, LB Jordan Hicks and DB Chris Maragos. Team chaplain Ted Winsley also joined the conversation as we looked back at everything that transpired throughout the 2017 season. 

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

Feb 26, 2018

Greg Tonagel begins his 13th season at the helm of the Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball team in 2017-18.

Tonagel and the Wildcats reached the summit in 2014 and 2016 as the program won two NAIA Division II national championships in three years. Indiana Wesleyan won the 2014 red banner in unprecedented fashion as they became the first team to win all five of their games at the national tournament by double digit. In 2016, Indiana Wesleyan defeated the top two seeds in the tournament to claim the title.

Tonagel is a two-time NABC/NAIA Division II National Coach of the Year.

In his 12 season as a head coach, Tonagel has already led Indiana Wesleyan to two national championships, one Final Four, five Elite Eight finishes, and eight Crossroads League regular season championships, including seven straight from 2009-15.

Perhaps the biggest influence that Tonagel and the staff have had on the program is the work ethic that they have instilled on and off the court. Tonagel’s teams have passion and toughness. Whether it is writing a paper, helping a neighbor or working out in the gym, Tonagel demands commitment and 100-percent effort from each student-athlete.

On this episode of the podcast, Coach Tonagel shares his "March Madness" moment during his playing days at Valparaiso, what basketball means to the state of Indiana, how he incorporates his faith into his coaching, what the motto of being "third" means, and the life verse that has kept him grounded in his faith. 

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

Feb 23, 2018

Daniel Schlereth is the son of former Super Bowl champion and NFL analyst Mark Schlereth.

The former MLB pitcher with the Tigers and Diamondbacks was selected in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft by Arizona and made his major league debut against the Atlanta Braves on May 29, 2009.

He was traded in 2010 to the Tigers and was a member of the Detroit club that made it all the way to the World Series in 2012. 

In college at the University of Arizona, Schlereth played 3 seasons for the Wildcats baseball team. He also met his wife Bree there and they married in November of 2010.

On this episode of the podcast, Daniel and his wife Bree join us to talk about their journey to the Major Leagues, growing up with a Super Bowl winning Dad and dealing with adversity as a couple and then as parents. 

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

 

Feb 19, 2018

Todd Gerelds, son of Legendary Alabama high school coach Tandy Gerelds, witnessed God’s transforming grace at Woodlawn and throughout his dad’s life.

His book Woodlawn, based on the life he grew up as a child of a high school football coach in the racially divided deep south of Alabama, was made into a major motion picture.

Gereld's latest book Always Fall Forward, is a reflection on 52 of his dad's most formative "coachisms" that will encourage and direct you when life hits hard. This book challenges men to live the way Coach Gerelds lived --- grounded in faith and willing to stand up for what he believed in no matter the cost. 

Todd's dad, Tandy Gerelds’s career spanned four decades and also included coaching stints at Shoals Christian School (AL), Belmont High School (MS), and Deshler High School where Todd played for his father, and where Coach Gerelds won the Alabama State Championship in 1990. His Deshler team broke the all-time scoring record at that time (603 points) and had a twenty-eight game winning streak. Todd, his wife, and four daughters live in Birmingham, Alabama.

Gerelds has spent over 20 years as an award-winning sales professional, sales trainer, and sales manager with three Fortune 500 companies.

Todd is married to Jennifer Morgan Gerelds. They have four daughters: Morgan, Bailey Kay "BK", Alli, and Maggie Leigh. 

On this episode of the podcast, Todd shares why he wrote the book WOODLAWN, how it turned into a major motion picture, the passion that Alabama has for football, why his Dad was his biggest teacher and what the Lord is teaching him right now. 

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

Feb 16, 2018

Chris Lane is the chaplain for the Miami Marlins and ministers to baseball players. He's also the founder and executive director of First Priority, which ministers to high school students in the southeast Florida area. 

One of the schools that Chris and his team at First Priority are a part of is Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the site of Wednesday's horrific school shooting that saw 17 people die and numerous more injured. 

On this episode of the podcast, Chris takes us to the scene in Parkland on Wednesday and how he and many others responded by praying and ministering for families. Lane also shares how God has been working in the midst of a terrible tragedy and finding purpose in the pain. 

Feb 12, 2018

Reverend Earl Smith is the team chaplain for the NBA world champion Golden State Warriors and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. 

In 1983, at the age of 27, Earl became the youngest person ever hired as a Protestant Chaplain by the California Department of Corrections.

Earl was born and reared in Stockton California. The cycle of events in Earl’s life came to a head in 1975 when he was shot 6 times while living the life of a small time gangster. Although expected to die, Earl’s father’s faith, prayers and love seemed to bring him through. The words of his father have motivated him, since that event, “you are a rebel, but you are God’s rebel, and He is going to use you to His glory.”

In August of 2000, Chaplain Smith was recognized as the “National Correctional Chaplain of the Year.”

Earl currently serves as the Team Pastor for the Golden State Warriors and the San Francisco 49ers’. From 1998 to 2005 Earl was the Chapel Leader for the San Francisco Giants.

Smith is the author of the book "DEATH ROW CHAPLAIN," released in 2014. 

The ministry of Earl Smith is known across the nation. Earl has appeared on numerous broadcasts, including HBO, CNN, THE CBS Morning News, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, 100 Huntley Street, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel. Earl has been featured in such publications as People’s Weekly, Ministry Today, Newsweek, Ebony, Christianity Today, Guidepost, The African Americans and Time. Earl has received two “Angel” awards for excellence in media.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Reverend Earl about being a team chaplain in the NFL and NBA, his amazing story growing up in a gang, almost dying, getting saved, becoming a prison chaplain and some of the incredible things he saw God do with inmates on death row. 

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

Feb 9, 2018

Taylor James plays the lead role as the title character in the upcoming PURE FLIX movie, SAMSON.

Taylor's many film and television credits include BLITZ for Lionsgate; MAMMA MIA for Universal; and JUSTICE LEAGUE for Warner Bros. His acting career launched on London's West End as an original cast member in the U.K. production of the musical Footloose, playing the iconic character of William Hewitt. 

On this episode of the podcast, Taylor shares how he prepared for such an iconic role as SAMSON, how he was able to fast from food during the shoot, his love for the NBA, and why he feels forgiveness is something we can all receive from God. 

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

Feb 7, 2018

Tyler Beede is a pitcher with the San Francisco Giants organization. He was selected in the 1st round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt, where his club won the College World Series. 

Alexandria (Allie) DeBerry Beede is Tyler's wife. She's an actress, appearing in many different movies and TV shows including Disney Channel's Ant Farm. 

Tyler and Allie married on November 26, 2017.

On this episode, 2 days after getting married, Tyler and Allie shared why they decided to spend their honeymoon at a Christian baseball conference, the crazy story of how they met on social media, being on a platform of fame and celebrity as believers in Christ, and how they plan to honor the Lord in their marriage.

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

Feb 2, 2018

On this special edition of the Sports Spectrum Podcast live from Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, we spoke with New York Jets QB Josh McCown, Jets RB Matt Forte and former Rams legendary WR Isaac Bruce. 

Josh McCown came up with the idea to create FOOTBALL SUNDAY and show the stories of faith and football in churches around the country.

Matt Forte talks about promoting Jesus at the Super Bowl.

Isaac Bruce shares about being patience and praising Jesus while he waits for his opportunity to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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

Feb 2, 2018

Live from Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, we were able to chat with Eagles players Zach Ertz, Brandon Graham and Malcolm Jenkins as well as Patriots players Matthew Slater, Trey Flowers and James White.

 

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

Feb 1, 2018

On this special edition of the Sports Spectrum podcast, we are live from Minneapolis at Super Bowl LII where we interview Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, Former NFL QB's Dan Orlovsky and Bruce Gradkowski and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Leger Douzable. 

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

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