BONUS EPISODE

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac joined us LIVE on Facebook on Thursday March 26th to talk about how his recovery to a knee injury is coming, the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA season being suspended, becoming an ordained minister and living a life that glorifies Jesus.

You can watch the interview on Facebook here and read more stories of sports and faith on our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com. 

Episode 472

Robert Morris is the founding lead senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multicampus church based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 71,000 active attendees. 

His television program is aired in over 190 countries, and his radio program, Worship & the Word with Pastor Robert, airs in more than 1,800 radio markets across America. He serves as chancellor of The King’s University and is the bestselling author of numerous books, including The Blessed Life, Frequency, Beyond Blessed, and his latest book Take the Day Off.

Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married 39 years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons, and nine grandchildren.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Robert Morris about playing golf with Jack Nicklaus, pastor Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, how he stays connected to God and his awesome story of the great underwear crisis of 2004.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International, the most trusted child development ministry in the world. For more information about you can help sponsor a child and release them from poverty, check out their website - http://Compassion.com/SportsSpectrum

For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE

Korey Harris is currently an assistant basketball coach for the Chinese Basketball Association's Beijing Royal Fighters under their head coach, former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury.

He came to China in August of 2018 and was hired by Marbury to coach with the Royal Fighters in September of 2019. 

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Korey has been in quarantine and isolation in his China hotel room since January. 

On this episode of the podcast, Korey Harris joins us from China to talk about what the last few months have been like since the Chinese Basketball Association postponed their games in late January. We also hear how Korey has dealt with social distancing, why staying in China instead of returning to America was something he felt led to do and a great word of encouragement for all of us here in America. 

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 471

Katie Engleson is a reporter covering sports for FOX Sports Southwest. She is a sideline reporter for the WNBA's Dallas Wings, covers the Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Texas Rangers.

The 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide graduate was a baton twirler in college and served as an Alabama Crimsonette during football games. She is also a part of the Best Buddies Texas Junior Advisory Board. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Katie about her role with FOX Sports Southwest, covering the craziness that is high school football in Texas, her testimony of faith, why 1 Peter 4:10 is so important to her, and what it was like on a Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the Fall. 

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International, the most trusted child development ministry in the world. Check out http://Compassion.com/SportsSpectrum and pray about sponsoring a child and releasing them from poverty in Jesus' name.

For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website: http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE

Aaron Craft is currently playing professional basketball in Italy for Aquila Basket Trento, and lives in Trento, Italy, with his wife and son. Trento is in northern Italy, a little less than three hours from what Craft described as the “epicenter” of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Know for his tenacious defense during his time in college at Ohio State, Aaron was named the 2014 NABC Defensive Player of the Year, the 2013 Big Ten Tournament MVP, and a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Aaron about what it is like being in Italy right now during the Coronavirus outbreak and how his faith is helping him and his family stay calm in the midst of a very big storm.

Episode 470

Shane Doan is a former NHL player who played 21 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes franchise. He was selected in the first round of the 1995 NHL Draft (seventh overall) by the Winnipeg Jets. He was the Jets' final first round pick as the team would relocate to Phoenix the following season. 

In 1996, Doan would begin a stretch of 20 straight seasons playing for the Coyotes in a career that saw him make two All-Star teams and in 2012, the winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award. 

In 2017, Doan retired from the NHL as the franchise record holder in career points (972), career goals (402) and games played (1540). In February of 2019, he had his number 19 retired and today he's working with the NHL as a Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Shane about faith in the NHL, the lessons he's learned from playing hockey, why Jesus is truth, having his number 19 retired and his welcome to the NHL moment with Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky.

This episode is sponsored by IJM, International Justice Mission. To learn more about how you can help join the fight to end slavery in our lifetime, visit http://IJM.org/TF

For more stories of sports and faith, visit our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

*Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak*

Episode 469

Anthony Sherman is a fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Sherman would play two seasons with the Cardinals before being traded in 2013 to the Chiefs. 

In 2019, Sherman helped his Kansas City Chiefs team to an NFL championship, beating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV. 

In college, Sherman was a standout blocker at the University of Connecticut and served as a team captain for two seasons. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Anthony Sherman about his Super Bowl experience, winning the title, the crazy story from the Super Bowl parade, how his faith took shape and why he felt compelled to attend a missions trip with Compassion International. 

For more stories on sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 468

Craig Denison is the author of First15, a daily devotional guiding over a million believers into a fresh experience with God’s presence. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God.

BONUS EPISODE

Dave Pasch was getting ready to call an ESPN NBA game between the Kings and Pelicans on Wednesday March 11. A few minutes before the start of the game, officials announced the game had been postponed. And since then, the sports world has been shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Dave Pasch about that March 11th telecast, being on air but never calling the game due to the coronavirus, where he stands right now in waiting mode with his job, and the opportunity that we have right now as believers to serve and help others in a tangible way.

You can listen to Dave's testimony of faith in Jesus from our July 2018 interview here. 

Episode 467

* Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak.

Brad Frost is the head coach of the University of Minnesota's women's ice hockey team. He has led the Lady Golden Gophers to four NCAA championships, seven Frozen Four appearances, and coming into the 2019-2020 season, he had a career coaching record of 373 wins to just 65 losses with 31 ties.

Raised in Burlington, Ontario, Brad played forward on the Bethel University hockey team and served as team captain for two years. After graduation, he was an assistant coach for the Eagan (Minnesota) High School girls' team and then for the Bethel University men's team. In June 2001, he joined the coaching staff at the University of Minnesota as an assistant to Laura Halldorson. While working as an assistant coach, Minnesota won the NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2005.

In 2007, he became the head coach for Minnesota and won NCAA titles in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. That title in 2012-13 featured a team that went undefeated, 41-0-0 and a winning streak of 62 consecutive wins from February 2012 to November 2013. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Brad about the cold winters in Minnesota, his four values, what true success is, how he maintains a standard of excellence at Minnesota, where he came to faith in Christ, and how he continues to seek others for teaching and discipleship.

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 466

Trevor Rosenthal is a pitcher with the Kansas City Royals. He was selected in the 21st round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, and made his MLB debut in July 2012. The next season, he pitched in the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.

A few years later, Rosenthal cemented himself as the Cardinals’ closer with 45 saves in 2014, and a club-record 48 saves in 2015. He was rewarded by being named an All-Star in 2015, when he also helped St. Louis to a division title. He is the third-youngest pitcher in MLB history to record back-to-back 40-save seasons.

After a few down years, Rosenthal was released by the Cardinals following the 2017 season. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, and returned to the major leagues in 2019 with stints on three different teams. In December 2019, Rosenthal signed a minor-league deal to pitch with the Royals and reunite with his former manager from St. Louis, Mike Matheny.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rosenthal about overcoming adversity, his very difficult 2019 season, the new opportunity with the Royals, how he came to faith in the minor leagues, and how his teammates with the Cardinals helped encourage him to live out his faith.

* Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak.

Episode 465

Sydney Romero played four seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners softball team from 2016-2019. Her storied career at OU featured two Women's College World Seres championships and four consecutive Women's College World Series appearances.

In 2019, she was the Big 12 Player of the Year and was named National Fastpitch Coaches Association First-Team All-American in helping the Sooners to within one game of another championship before losing to UCLA in the WCWS finals.  She also won the Big 12 Triple Crown hitting .427 with 20 HR’s and 56 RBI’s.  She led the nation in total bases with 176.

Following her OU journey, Romero was selected third overall in the National Pro Fastpitch League by the USSSA Pride and played her first professional season in the summer of 2019.

In the spring of 2020, Romero returned to Oklahoma as a student assistant with the softball team.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Sydney about her incredible softball career, where the softball journey began, what her coach Patty Gasso means to her, how she came to faith in Jesus and her favorite moment as an OU Softball player.

For more stories of sports and faith, log on to our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE

Demario Davis is a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. He was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, where he played from 2012-2015 and again in 2017. During the 2016 season, he played with the Cleveland Browns.

In 2018, Demario signed a free agent deal with the Saints and in 2019, was named to the AP All-Pro First Team despite not making the Pro Bowl. Early in the 2019 season, Davis was fined for wearing a “Man of God” headband. But after the NFL rescinded the fine, he was able to make the headbands available to the public and raise money for St. Dominic Hospital in his home state of Mississippi.

In October 2019, he became a published author, releasing his first book, “The Unsuccessful Champion: Finding True Victory in the Midst of Adversity.”

On this episode of the podcast, Demario looks back at the 2019 season, what he learned from God, being an unsuccessful champion and finding joy and peace in Jesus when things don't go his way on the field.

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 464

Tony Graffanino played 13 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1996-2009. He was selected in the 10th round of the 1990 MLB Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Braves and made his MLB debut six years later in April of 1996. 

He would go on to play for seven different teams in his 13 years including stints with the Rays, White Sox, Royals, Red Sox, Brewers and Indians. 

Upon retirement, Tony entered into ministry and is currently working with Unlimited Potential Incorporated (UPI) as well as serving with the White Sox as their Spring Training chaplain. Tony leads a variety of small groups for players and their wives in the Phoenix area throughout the year and has helped serve missionaries in over 8 different countries around the world. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Tony about his baseball career, coming to faith in Christ, being a Christian in the big leagues, and why he felt called into baseball ministry. 

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 463

Chase Anderson is a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was traded to Toronto from Milwaukee in November 2019 after pitching for three seasons with the Brewers. In 2017, he went 12-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 25 starts. In 2018 and 2019, he won a combined 17 games and started 57 games in helping Milwaukee to the playoffs. 

Originally selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round of the 2009 MLB Draft after pitching collegiately at the University of Oklahoma, Chase would make his MLB debut in May of 2014. After two seasons with the Diamondbacks, Chase was traded to Milwaukee in January of 2016 to the Brewers. 

On this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Chase to talk about being traded to Toronto, preparing to pitch in the AL East, the lessons he learned during his time in Milwaukee and how he's staying connected to God in such an uncertain lifestyle that is a Major League Baseball player. 

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com

Episode 462

Joe Gibbs is a legend in two sports. He's a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who has won three Super Bowl championships with the Washington Redskins. He's also a five-time NASCAR Cup Series champion as the owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. 

He began his NFL coaching career in 1973 as an assistant with the Cardinals before moving to the Buccaneers and Chargers where he would grow as an assistant coach until his first and only head coaching job with the Washington Redskins in 1981. He would coach the Redskins for 12 seasons until his retirement in 1992. 

After stepping away from the NFL, Gibbs focused on NASCAR, creating Joe Gibbs Racing in 1992. He currently still has four drivers but in 2004, Gibbs felt called back to football and back to the Redskins for a second stint as their head coach from 2004 to 2007. He was able to lead Washington to the playoffs twice before retiring for good in January of 2008.

In 1996, Gibbs was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2020, he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He's the only person ever to be inducted in both the Pro Football and NASCAR Halls of Fame. In 2020, he was also named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team and participated in ceremonies celebrating the honor prior to Super Bowl LIV in Miami.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Joe Gibbs about being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, why he's so outspoken about his faith, where his relationship with Jesus began and how that strong faith helped him during the difficult loss of his son JD. 

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 461

Anthony Rendon is the new third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a seven year deal with the Angels in December 2019 and will begin the 2020 season in the middle of a lineup that includes Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. 

Rendon was selected in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals (6th overall) and two years later would make his MLB debut on April 21, 2013. For the next 6 years, Anthony would be a key player in leading the Nationals to three NL East division titles (2014, 2016, and 2017) and a World Series championship in 2019. 

In that 2019 season, Rendon had a career year, hitting .319 with 34 home runs and an MLB-leading 126 runs batted in. He finished third in the NL MVP voting and hit .276 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI in the 2019 World Series victory over Houston. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rendon about winning a World Series, the decision to sign with the Angels, how his faith gives him peace and keeps him grounded and why an injury that he suffered at age 19 was what led him to turn his life over to the Lord. 

For more stories on sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com.

Episode 460

Zach Zenner is an NFL running back who came into the league in 2015 with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following a stellar college career at South Dakota State. He rushed for 2,000 yards in 2012, 2013 and 2014 with the Jackrabbits and was an Academic All-American in his senior season of 2014.

After coming to the NFL, Zenner made his debut in 2015, and in 2016 he burst onto the national stage, rushing for 67 yards and two touchdowns on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. He went on to play two more seasons in Detroit in 2017 and 2018.

In 2019, Zenner lived a whirlwind football life seeing action with the Saints, Cardinals and Dolphins.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Zenner about his crazy 2019 season, how he stayed positive in the midst of being released multiple times, how his faith in Jesus became real during his time in college, and what he envisions himself doing in 10 years.

For more stories on faith and sports, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS

On today’s episode of the podcast, we look at faith within the 2019 Tennessee Titans locker room with four members of the team: quarterback Ryan Tannehill, offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and team chaplain James Mitchell.

Woodyard, who handles the hosting duties on this interview, came to Tennessee in 2014 as a free-agent signing from Denver. Tannehill played seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins before being traded to Tennessee in March 2019. Saffold came to Tennessee in 2019 after playing nine seasons with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles. And Mitchell just finished his second season as team chaplain with the Titans after spending a decade with the Duke Blue Devils football program.

This podcast episode takes a look at how Mitchell has helped cultivate a culture of faith within the Titans locker room, why new guys like Tannehill and Saffold were able to assimilate themselves so well within the team, and how Woodyard has provided a spiritual spark as a veteran leader for Tennessee.

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 459

Jose Campo is a National Wrestling Hall of Famer who coached wrestling for over forty years. He is the son of Hall of Fame wrestling coach Joe Campo and is currently the team chaplain for the USA Olympic wrestling team.

Growing up, Jose was taught right from wrong, but a series of bad choices including his involvement in the largest cheating scandal in West Point history at Army, spiraled Jose down a bad path. Ultimately, it was putting his faith and trust in Jesus Christ that allowed him to come back and today, he spends his life dedicated to God and serving the Lord through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as a spiritual mentor for the U.S. wrestling team.

On this episode of the podcast, Jose shares how he is serving with USA Wrestling, growing up with a legend of a father, how his life got caught up in a cheating scandal and the beautiful redemption story that God played in bring him out of his mess. 

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE

Morgan Trent is a former NFL player who was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played his college football at the University of Michigan, where he started 41 of 48 games and had eight career interceptions. He also was a track and field sprinter with the Wolverines before joining the NFL.

After playing four seasons with the Bengals, Colts, Jaguars and Redskins, Trent’s NFL career was over and he turned to real estate. He earned his real estate license and is currently working with Aaron Kirman Partners and selling real estate in Southern California. And he is currently featured on CNBC’s newest show “Listing Impossible,” airing Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. You can also watch the show online at CNBC.com.

He attends Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and lives by the simple phrase “Love God, Love People.”

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Trent about going from the reality show of the NFL to a reality show on CNBC. He tells us how he got interested in real estate, how his personal relationship with Jesus took shape in college, what faith was like in the NFL, living out that faith now as a real estate agent, and the difficulty that so many have in transitioning out of the NFL into the workplace.

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 458

Carson Wentz is the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was selected No. 2 overall in the 2016 draft, and he has started each of the 57 games he has played since. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 but was unable to play due to an ACL injury earlier that season, which also kept him out as the Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII.

Wentz battled injuries in 2018 as well, appearing in only 11 games, but he started all 16 regular-season games in 2019 and got to play in his first NFL playoff game. He enters his fifth season as one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks.

In the summer of 2017, Wentz started his Audience of One Foundation, which is dedicated to “uplifting individuals and communities around the world by demonstrating God’s love for His people.” It is made up of three primary ministries: Thy Kingdom Crumb (a food truck that distributes free food); Outdoor Ministry (hunting and fishing trips for kids); and the Haiti Sports Complex (sports facilities in Haiti).

Wentz is also a married man and soon-to-be father. Shortly after winning the Super Bowl, Wentz proposed to his girlfriend, Maddie. The two were married in July 2018, and they are expecting their first child, a girl.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Carson and Maddie about marriage, what Maddie’s Sundays are like watching her husband on the field, how Christ is at the center of their marriage, and the excitement surrounding their upcoming baby girl’s arrival.

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 457

Clint Hurdle has been a staple in Major League Baseball for over forty years. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1975 MLB Draft and just two years later, made his MLB debut. A member of the 1980 American League championship team in Kansas City, Hurdle would play for seven more years until retiring in 1987.

After his playing days ended, Hurdle went into coaching in 1988 and 14 years later, would be named the manager of the Colorado Rockies. During his time with Colorado, he would lead the Rockies to the National League title and a trip to the World Series in 2007.

After his time in Colorado ended in 2010, he would sign on to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 where he led the Bucs to three straight playoff appearances in 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2013, he was named Sporting News NL Manager of the Year. 

In September of 2019, he was relieved of his duties as manager of the Pirates.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Clint Hurdle about adjusting to life away from baseball, where his faith in Jesus began, how a crisis of faith in his early forties helped him grow closer to the Lord, how he lived his faith out as a manager and why spending time with his family right now is his number one priority. 

For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE

Josh McCown spent the 2019 season as a quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals after playing his college football Sam Houston State. 

Josh would go on to play 17 NFL seasons with eleven different teams (Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Dolphins, Panthers, 49ers, Bears, Buccaneers, Browns, Jets and Eagles).

In 2019, Josh backed up Carson Wentz in Philadelphia and found himself making his first ever appearance in a playoff game when he came in to relieve an injured Wentz in the Eagles loss to the Seahawks. In that game, McCown suffered a torn hamstring off the bone and continued to play an entire half with the injury.

On this episode of the podcast, Josh McCown shares a health update on his torn hamstring, getting the opportunity to play in his first ever playoff game, why he came out of retirement to play in 2019, what faith in the Eagles locker room was like and what Josh's plans are for 2020. 

For more stories of faith and sports, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 456

Since 2014, David Baker has been the President and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At 6'9 and 400 pounds, David is an imposing figure but he's also the one guy every former NFL player loves during the Super Bowl as Baker is the guy who knocks on the door and congratulates the new inductees every year to the Hall.

In 2018, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was voted the Best Attraction for Sports Fans in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest.

Before his football governing days, Baker played professional basketball in Switzerland and worldwide with a Christian basketball team that beat the best in the world. He was elected Mayor and Councilman of Irvine, Calif., the country’s first master-planned city and served for 12 years as the Commissioner of the Arena Football League.

Baker is the father of two boys – Ben who is the Director of Broadcasting at NASCAR and Sam who played left tackle for the Atlanta Falcons and currently serves as a coach for Mission Viejo High School football team. David and his wife Colleen also have a daughter Leyla and a son, Michael; and are the proud grandparents of eight beautiful grandchildren.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to David about his job telling football players that they're in the Hall of Fame, the parallels of football and scripture, the experience of telling Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher in person live on a broadcast that they were going to Canton. David's a strong leader and he shares how his walk with the Lord guides his work each day.

For more stories on sports and faith, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com