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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: September, 2019
Sep 30, 2019

Episode 377

Sarah Roberts is the area director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Atlanta. As a wife of a coach and the daughter of a coach, as well as a mom to athletes, Sarah has followed her calling to connect women in sports to Jesus Christ. 

In 2003, she began working for FCA and has served female coaches, female athletes, and coaches wives through Bible studies, chapels, speaking, writing and building relationships.  Sarah has also served with Oklahoma Football as the chaplain to the Sooner coaches wives as well as in the NBA as the OKC Thunder wives chaplain. 

Sarah is the author of three books: "Just Ask" for the female athlete, "Just Ask" for the coaches wife and her latest, "Just Like," a group study for female athletes and coaches. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Sarah about her heart for ministry, how FCA played a huge role in her coming to faith, her families powerful connection with Christian Osterhout, winning an NFL contest and the divine appointments that God sets before us. 

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

Sep 29, 2019

Episode 376

Jeremiah Trotter is a former linebacker who played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Eagles, Redskins and Buccaneers. He was selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft (72nd overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles out of Stephen F. Austin. 

Upon arriving in the NFL, Trotter was a staple at linebacker for the Eagles for eight of his eleven seasons. He's a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro who helped lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl berth in 2004. 

In 2016, he was elected as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame. Known as the Axe-Man, Trotter remains a fan favorite with Eagles fans to this day.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jeremiah Trotter about his NFL journey, knowing when to retire, how his faith played a huge part in his football career, moving forward after the death of his father, and the Bible verse that sums up his life. 

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

Sep 27, 2019

Episode 375

Barnabas Piper is the author of three books including his latest, "The Curious Christian."  He is an avid sports fan with allegiances to the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Twins. His father John Piper, is an influential pastor who leads Desiring God ministries. 

On this episode of the podcast, Barnabas shares about growing up as the son of John Piper, his love/hate/love relationship with his sports teams, taking sports fandom too seriously, his love for books and his top 3 sports books. 

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

Sep 26, 2019

Today we look back to December of 2017, Episode 60 of the podcast with 4-time NBA All-Star and basketball coach Mark Price. 

Price played 12 years in the NBA from 1986-1998. He’s a 4-time NBA All Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1993.

Known as one of the best shooters in basketball, Price won the 1993 and 1994 NBA Three-Point Shootout.

His number 25 is retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In 2015, Price became the head basketball coach at the University of North Carolina Charlotte and in 2018-19, he served as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets. 

Mark shares on this THROWBACK edition of the podcast about his faith journey and staying connected to God during his NBA career. 

You can listen to the entire interview with Mark Price by clicking here or by searching his name on iTunes/Apple podcasts, Spotify, the iHeart Radio app or anywhere podcasts are listened to. 

Sep 25, 2019

Episode 374

Mikey Ambrose is a defender for the Atlanta United in MLS. He played his college soccer at Maryland, and in January 2015 left college early to sign a professional contract with the Austin Aztex in the United Soccer League. He made his professional debut in March 2015 in a 2–0 victory over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

In August 2016, Ambrose joined Orlando City SC, and made his MLS debut against the Colorado Rapids later that month. In December 2016, he was selected in the MLS Expansion Draft by Atlanta United FC, where he remains today. Atlanta is the defending MLS champion.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Ambrose about his love for the Dallas Cowboys, playing soccer in Atlanta, what faith looks like in the MLS, and overcoming injuries.

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

Sep 24, 2019

Episode 373

Darrin Patrick is the author of the book "The Dude's Guide to Marriage and the founding pastor of "The Journey Church" in 2002. He was the former team chaplain of the St. Louis Cardinals and the former Vice President of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. 

In 2016, Darrin was removed from his church after a "historical pattern of sin" and spent time away restoring his marriage and his family. Recently, he's returned to ministry as the teaching pastor at Seacoast Church and is co-hosting a podcast called "The Pastor's Collective." 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Darrin Patrick about sin, failure, shame, repentance, forgiveness, empathy and restoration. This is a powerful story of God's redeeming work in the life of a pastor who had it all and almost lost it. 

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

Sep 23, 2019

Episode 372

Herbie Kuhn is a team chaplain and public address announcer for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. He's also the team chaplain for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

He joined the Raptors in 1995 as their arena voice and soon thereafter, came to faith in Christ. A few years later, Herbie was asked to serve as a co-chaplain with Steve Kerns. 

On this episode of the podcast, Herbie Kuhn tells his awesome story of getting to be the voice everyone hears when they attend a Toronto Raptors home game. Kuhn shares what it was like to have his team win the NBA championship, how he came to faith in 1996 and how that new walk with the Lord changed the way he went about doing his job. 

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

Sep 20, 2019

Episode 371

Aubrey Bledsoe is a professional soccer goalkeeper in the National Women's Soccer League with the Washington Spirit.

A 2-time high school state champion in soccer at St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, Bledsoe would play her college soccer at Wake Forest and then venture on a pro soccer career that has taken her to Norway, New Jersey, Denmark, Orlando, Australia and now Washington D.C. with the Spirit. 

In week 4 of the 2019 NWSL season, Bledsoe won both NWSL player and save of the week.

On this episode of the podcast, we learn about Aubrey's life as a pro soccer player with the Spirit, her journey of faith in Christ, being a believer in the pro soccer world, and growing as a woman of God in a difficult season of life in pro soccer. 

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

Sep 19, 2019

Today we look back to January of 2019, Episode 233 of the podcast with Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and NBC Sports NFL analyst Tony Dungy.

Dungy is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author whose books include “Quiet Strength,” “Uncommon,” “The Mentor Leader” and “Uncommon Marriage.” He led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory on Feb. 4, 2007, the first such win for an African-American head coach. Dungy established another NFL first by becoming the first head coach to lead his teams to the playoffs 10 consecutive years.

Dungy joined the Colts in 2002 after serving as the most successful head coach in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history. He has also held assistant coaching positions with the University of Minnesota, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. Before becoming a coach, he played three seasons in the NFL. Dungy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Dungy has been involved in a wide variety of charitable organizations, including All Pro Dad, Abe Brown Ministries, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, Mentors for Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boys & Girls Clubs. He retired from coaching in 2009 and now serves as a studio analyst for NBC’s “Football Night in America.” He and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of 10 children.

His latest book, “The Soul of a Team,” is out now and tells the story of a fictional football team that goes on to win the Super Bowl after some very difficult trials. The book lays out four essential principles practiced by truly effective teams and shares how it can help us all in our places of influence.

Coach Dungy shares on this THROWBACK edition of the podcast about standing up for his faith and using the platform of winning the Super Bowl to share his love for the Lord. 

You can listen to the entire interview with Tony Dungy by clicking here, or by searching his name on iTunes/Apple podcasts, Spotify, the iHeart Radio app or anywhere podcasts are listened to. 

Sep 18, 2019

Episode 370

Steve Burdick is the Executive Director of College Golf Fellowship, a ministry that shares and equips college and pro golfers to be fully devoted followers of Christ.

Prior to joining College Golf Fellowship in 2001, Steve was an All-American golfer at the University of Stanford from 1991-95. During his time in college, Steve won a national championship in 1994 and was teammates with PGA Tour players Casey Martin, Notah Begay and Tiger Woods. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Steve about being teammates with Tiger Woods, winning a national championship at Stanford, living out his faith during a difficult moment in college in 1995, why he decided to walk away from golf and how the death of his Dad helped shape his faith. 

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

Sep 17, 2019

Episode 369

In 2019, Lyndsey Oates will begin her 15th year as the head volleyball coach at the University of Northern Colorado. She's a three-time Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year in 2009, 2011, and 2014. 

Lyndsey was a standout volleyball player in high school, where she won a state championship in 1997 with Easton High in Colorado. She would go on to play volleyball in college at LSU before beginning her coaching career in 2002 as an assistant with Samford University.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Lyndsey Oates about her role as head coach, the unique lessons volleyball teaches, how her faith was shaped in college at LSU and seeing her faith in God tested after losing her Dad in a car accident.

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

Sep 16, 2019

Episode 368

Monty Williams is the head coach of the NBA's Phoenix Suns. He was named to his current role in May 2019 after serving as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers last season. 

Selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, Monty played 11 seasons in the NBA with the Knicks, Spurs, Nuggets, Magic and 76ers. 

After his playing career finished, Monty went into coaching, serving as as assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers for 5 seasons before being named the head coach of the then New Orleans Hornets, now Pelicans franchise. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Monty Williams about his new role with the Suns, coming to faith in Christ, the state of faith in the NBA today, and how he's processed grief and forgiveness since the loss of his wife 3 years ago in a tragic car crash.

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

Sep 12, 2019

Episode 367

Mike Fisher played 19 seasons in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators from 1999-2018. He retired after the 2018 season. He's married to country singer Carrie Underwood and has 2 children. 

Matt Hasselbeck played 17 seasons in the NFL with the Packers, Seahawks, Titans and Colts from 1999-2015. He retired after the 2015 season. He's currently an analyst with ESPN and is married to Sarah and has 3 children. 

On this episode of the podcast, Matt Hasselbeck interviews Mike Fisher about their friendship, faith in sports, social media, retirement, role models, and daily spiritual disciplines. 

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

Sep 12, 2019

Today we look back to July of 2018, Episode 132 of the podcast with ESPN announcer Maria Taylor. 

Maria is becoming a household name on sports broadcasts. She has been an ESPN host and reporter covering college football’s National Championship game, college basketball, the NFL Draft, the NBA Combine, the NBA Draft, the ESPYs and College Gameday. 

A graduate of the University of Georgia in 2009, Taylor played basketball as well as making All-SEC honors in volleyball for the Lady Bulldogs.

Her passion to serve the Lord and give back culminated in 2014 with her co-founding the Winning Edge Leadership Academy. The Academy provides a place where college student and young professionals, particularly women and minority leaders, can get professional development to prepare them for the sports business world.

Maria shares on this THROWBACK edition of the podcast about her walk with the Lord and where that began. 

You can listen to the entire interview with Maria Taylor by clicking here or by searching her name on iTunes/Apple podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio App or anywhere podcasts are listened to. 

Sep 11, 2019

Episode 366

Tammi Carr is the co-founder of the Chad Tough Foundation. She and her husband Jason met in college at the University of Michigan and have been together ever since. Jason played quarterback for the Wolverines football team. Tammi's father Tom Curtis, played football at Michigan and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005. Tammi's father in-law is Lloyd Carr, the legendary Michigan football coach from 1995-2007.

In 2015, Chad Carr, Tammi and Jason's son, died at the age of 5 years old. He lived 14 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable, malignant brain tumor: diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. It is a cancerous tumor located within the brain stem, which overwhelmingly targets children, and there are zero long-term survivors. 

After his death, the Chad Tough Foundationwas formed in 2015. Tammi is on the board of directors of the foundation and her husband is president of the part-time staff and they have raised close to $10 million dollars for DIPG research. 

On this episode of the podcast, we remember Chad Carr through the words of his mom Tammi, trusting in God as they walked with their son in his fight, starting the Chad Tough foundation, how Chad's death has brought others to come to faith in Christ and finding purpose in the pain. 

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

Sep 10, 2019

Episode 365

Semi Ojeleye was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft (37th overall). He's played in 129 career games for Boston over his two NBA seasons including 23 playoff games. He scored a career high 17 points in a 116-110 win over Washington on April 9, 2019.

Semi came to the Celtics after a college career that saw him begin at Duke University with Coach Mike Krzyzewski and then move on to SMU, where he was named AAC Player of the Year after averaging 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Mustangs. 

Ojeleye's parents emigrated from Nigeria to Kansas and Semi starred at Ottawa High School where he was named Parade Magazine's National Player of the Year in 2013. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Semi about coming to the NBA, adjusting to his role with the Celtics, preparing for a bigger role in 2019-2020, where his faith in Christ took root, living out his walk with God as an NBA player and finding a church home in Boston. 

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

Sep 9, 2019

Episode 364

Steve Merriman spent the 2019 baseball season as the pitching coach for the Colorado Rockies AA affiliate, the Hartford Yard Goats. 

Since 1995, Merriman has coaches baseball at both the college and professional levels. He began his coaching career with the University of Michigan Wolverines as their hitting coach. His pro baseball coaching career has seen him make stops with the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs. 

On this episode of the podcast, Merriman talks about his whirlwind baseball coaching journey, the challenges of being a pitching coach, his testimony of faith in Christ, and the broken relationship he's had with his father. 

Steve's story is a powerful one.

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

Sep 6, 2019

Episode 363

Anthony "Booger" McFarland is a former NFL player turned analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football coverage. 

Selected in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Booger would play 8 seasons with Tampa before being traded to Indianapolis in October of 2006. He would play two seasons with the Colts before retiring after the 2007 season.

Booger was a a first-team All-American in 1998 with LSU and would win two Super Bowl rings during his time in the NFL with Tampa in 2002 and Indianapolis in 2006.

In 2014, he began his broadcasting journey when he joined the SEC Network and ESPN. In 2018, he was named as an analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football coverage. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Booger McFarland about his role on Monday Night Football, how he got the nickname "Booger," his story of faith, growing up without a Dad in his life, how the loss of his mother tested his faith, and what coach Tony Dungy meant to him as a player and as a person.

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

Sep 5, 2019

On this throwback edition of the Sports Spectrum podcast, we bring you a conversation with former NFL QB and current Dallas Cowboys QB coach Jon Kitna. 

Jon played 15 seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks, Bengals, Lions and Cowboys. He has thrown for just under 30,000 career passing yards and 169 touchdown passes. He has coached football on the high school level for many years before coming to Dallas and his current role with the Cowboys.

On this podcast, we hear from Jon about how he began his walk with Christ and how he's learned to become a real man of God.

You can listen to the entire interview with Jon and pastor Bryan Loritts from Episode 93 here or by searching his name on iTunes, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or anywhere else podcasts are found. 

Sep 4, 2019

Episode 362

Jay Feely is currently an analyst for CBS Sports Network’s coverage of  The NFL On CBS. Prior to joining CBS Sports, Feely spent 14 years in the NFL as a kicker with the Falcons, Giants, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets, Cardinals and Bears.

Throughout his career he had an 82.7 field goal percentage and was the NFL field goals made leader in 2002. Following a record-breaking season with the Giants, Feely was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005.

He was named the 2002 Atlanta Falcons Man of the Year; 2006 New York Giants United Way Man of the Year; 2007 Miami Dolphins Man of the Year; and the 2013 Arizona Cardinals Man of the Year.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Feely won the National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines in 1997 and earned an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team in 1998.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jay about his crazy NFL journey, serving in the NFL broadcast booth as a former kicker, the state of faith in the NFL, why living out his faith is vital, his favorite broadcasting moment, and what it was like to work on a broadcast team at the Super Bowl. 

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

Sep 3, 2019

Episode 361

Tim Burke pitched for 8 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1985 to 1992. He was selected in the second round of the 1980 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and was traded four times in his MLB career.

He made his MLB debut in April of 1985 with the Montreal Expos and pitched for 7 seasons in Montreal before being traded to the Mets in 1991 and then to the Yankees in 1992. He he would retire from pro baseball after Spring Training in 1993. 

Burke's best MLB season came in 1989 when he 9-3 with 28 saves and a 2.55 ERA, leading to his one and only trip to the All-Star Game. 

After retirement, Burke would spend time raising his four adopted kids, as well as enter into the world of pro hockey ministry to share and equip NHL players in their walk with God. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Tim about his pro baseball journey, the story of pitching in the 1989 All-Star game and then adopting his child in Guatemala, coming to faith in Christ as a minor leaguer and how God has redeemed his life after bouts with heavy drinking, depression, a broken marriage, and a difficult season of parenting. 

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

Sep 2, 2019

Episode 360

Jay Harris is a SportsCenter anchor at ESPN who has been featured on the signature show since arriving in Bristol, CT in February of 2003. 

Prior to his arrival at ESPN, Harris worked as a news anchor and reporter in Pittsburgh with WPGH-TV. He also worked at WAMO-FM in Pittsburgh and WOWI-FM in Norfolk, VA.

Harris is a graduate of Old Dominion University and in 2004, was the keynote speaker for Old Dominion's 100th commencement ceremony. 

Jay has been a part of SportsCenter's Sports Emmy-winning efforts in 2004 and 2005 and is a recipient of the Silver World Medal from the New York Festival Awards. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jay about his journey to ESPN, living the SportsCenter life, when he began his walk with the Lord, using his platform to share his faith and his most memorable interview. 

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

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