Episode 455
Matt Carpenter is a 3-time All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was selected in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft out of TCU. A three-time second-team All Mountain West Conference selectee, he broke TCU's school record for games played and at bats.
He would make his MLB debut in June of 2011 and has been a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup since becoming a regular in 2012. In 2013, he would be selected to his first All-Star game in helping St. Louis to the World Series. He would make two more All-Star game appearances in 2014 and 2016.
In 2018, he hit a career high 36 home runs and in 2019, he reached 1,000 career hits.
On this episode of the podcast, we talked to Matt about the 2020 season, why he doesn't wear batting gloves, how his time in college at TCU opened his heart up to the Lord and what living that faith out each day looks like today compared to when he first came to St. Louis nine years ago.
We also want to send a special welcome to our new partners and sponsors International Justice Mission. You can learn more about the great work they're doing at IJM.org/TF
For more stories and interviews, visit our website -- http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 454
Bob Goff is one of the most unique people in the United States. These days, he is most widely known as the New York Times-bestselling author of “Love Does,” released in 2012, and “Everybody Always” in 2018.
Before Goff was an author, he was making a difference around the world as the founder of Restore International (now known as Love Does), which he started in 2001 to “find daring, productive and effective ways to fight the injustices committed against children.” Love Does now works to promote human rights and education in current and recovering conflict zones. It works in Uganda, Iraq, Nepal, Somalia, Afghanistan and India.
Goff also serves as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, in both the law school and the graduate degree programs, with courses such as Nonprofit Law in the school’s Global Justice Program. In a previous career, he was a trial lawyer.
He’s also an international speaker and launched the Dream Big Framework in 2016, a curriculum and workshop designed to motivate people to accomplish their biggest dreams and ambitions.
On this episode of the podcast, we talked to Goff at a conference in Dallas about his testimony of faith, why he wears a Boston Red Sox hat every day, why the people he learns the most from aren’t those that have it all together, starting a New Year’s Day parade on his street, and the desire he has to simply love like Jesus. Bob is great and you’ll love his story.
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Episode 453
Ingle Martin was selected in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He began his college career at the University of Florida before transferring to Furman for his junior and senior season and setting multiple team records as well as being a punter for the Paladins.
After being drafted in 2006, Martin found himself as a backup quarterback on a Packers team that featured Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. In August of 2007, he was released by the Packers and picked up by the Titans. He would have stints with Tennessee, Denver, and Kansas City before ending his professional career in 2009.
In 2011, Martin became the head football coach of Christ Presbyterian Academy, a private high school located in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2019, his club finished as the state runner-up despite a 2-6 start.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Ingle Martin about his football journey, the difference is in adversity in football as compared to adversity in life and why keeping Christ has helped him both as a player and now as a coach. He also shares what his experience was like playing with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.
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Episode 452
Nicole Hensley is a professional women's hockey goaltender and a member of the United State's 2018 Gold Medal winning team at the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Growing up a fan of Patrick Roy, Hensley always wanted to be a goalie and began her hockey journey when she was just a little girl.
As a member of the U.S. Women's National Team, Nicole has competed in one Olympic Winter Games (gold-2018), two International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships (gold-2016, 2017); and two Four Nations Cups (1st-2016, 2017)
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Nicole about where her love for hockey began, how she became a member of Team USA, the experience of competing in an Olympics and that moment she won a Gold Medal. Nicole's faith is strong and throughout the conversation, she talks about how the Lord has been her guide.
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Episode 451
David Prince is a two-time United States Paralympian sprinter. Raised by missionary parents, David traveled frequently across the country and to Oaxaca, Mexico. In 2002, at the age of 18, he crashed his motorcycle which resulted in having his leg amputated below the knee as well as a traumatic head injury.
After seeing his life come crumbling down, David was able to turn that setback into a comeback and began training to become a sprinter. In 2010, Prince won a gold medal at the U.S. Paralympic National Championship in the 400m event, a silver medal in the long jump and a bronze medal in the 200m event.
In 2011, Prince won a gold medal at the 2011 Parapan American Games in the 200m and 400m events. In 2011 at the IPC World Championship, he won a silver medal in the 4 × 100 meter relay and a bronze medal in the 400m event. Later that year at the Paralympic National Championship, he won a gold medal in the 200m and 400m events and a silver medal in the 100m race.
Prince narrowly missed qualifying for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China but four years later, he achieved his goal of qualifying for the 2012 Paralympic Games where he won an individual bronze medal in the 400 m T43/44 event, in a new world record time for his own T44 classification.
In 2016, he was back at the Paralympic Games in Rio where he finished 6th in the 200 m event. In November of 2019, Prince, at the age of 36, won a bronze medal in Dubai at the 2019 World Championships in the 200 m race.
On this episode of the podcast, we hear the inspirational story of David Prince as he shares how the accident the almost ruined his life, brought him closer to God and how recent trials in his life has helped him re-shape his focus to living for Christ in the midst of continuing his quest to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
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Episode 450
Kelsey Plum was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars. She shined in college at the University of Washington where he helped the Lady Huskies reach the Final Four in 2016. In 2017, she was the Naismith College Player of the Year and won the John Wooden Award as the top women's college basketball player.
Her 3,527 points scored in her four-year career at Washington is the most all-time in Division One Women's College Basketball.
After being selected by San Antonio, Plum was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2017 and has played her last two seasons in Las Vegas after the team relocated from Texas to Nevada.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kelsey about the 2020 Olympics, being the number one overall pick, her prolific career at Washington, feeling the weight of expectations, how her faith in the Lord grew in college and how adversity has helped her re-align in her walk with Christ.
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What is Football Sunday? It’s a resource for churches to provide their people with an inside look at faith in the NFL in a way that’s relatable to all. The main feature is an in-church sermon-replacement video starring prominent NFL players.
This year’s presentation features the stories and testimonies of Chicago Bears defensive back Prince Amukamara, New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder and New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson. It is hosted by former NFL quarterback Brock Huard.
The video closes with a Gospel presentation.
Enjoy Football Sunday 2020!
For more information, go to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Continuing our Super Bowl week coverage from Miami, we were able to talk to former Kansas City Chiefs pro bowl cornerback Brandon Flowers.
Selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by Kansas City out of Virginia Tech, Flowers would play six seasons with the Chiefs from 2008-2013. He would play his final three seasons with the Chargers before retiring due to concussions after the 2016 season.
Brandon has a blossoming broadcasting career that saw him working with the NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp at the Super Bowl in Miami in 2020.
On this episode of the podcast, we were able to talk to former Brandon Flowers about his journey of faith, seeing his former team in the Super Bowl, dealing with concussions and how that faith in the Lord helped him during difficult trials he faced in his life.
For more stories and interviews like this, you can check out our website -- http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 449
Troy Vincent is a 5-time Pro Bowl defensive back who played 15 seasons in the NFL with the Dolphins, Eagles, Bills and Redskins from 1992-2006.
After working with the NFL's Player Association, Troy moved into a different role with the NFL and is currently their Vice President of Football Operations.
Troy was honored for his work away from football with the 2002 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and the 2005 Bart Starr Award.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Troy about his role with the NFL, his faith in Christ, how he carries that faith with him and the disciplines that he instills into his own life each day.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Live from Super Bowl LIV in Miami, Florida, Sports Spectrum talked to five members of the San Francisco 49ers: wide receiver Jordan Matthews, assistant coach Johnny Holland, defensive back D.J. Reed, assistant coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive end Arik Armstead.
They share their story of faith, football and preparing for the big game.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Live from Super Bowl LIV in Miami, Florida, Sports Spectrum talked to four members of the Kansas City Chiefs: offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski, defensive end Chris Jones, long-snapper James Winchester and fullback Anthony Sherman.
They share their story of faith, football and preparing for the big game.
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Mitch Holthus has been calling Kansas City Chiefs football games since 1994. Now in his 24th season, Mitch will get his chance to call his first Super Bowl for the Chiefs against San Francisco.
The 8-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year talked with us on the podcast about calling the Super Bowl, where his faith took shape, being an elder in his church and the redemptive story that he sees the Chiefs living through right now.
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For two seasons in Kansas City, Larry Johnson was the best running back in the NFL. In 2003, he was selected by the Chiefs in the first round with pick number 27. In 2005, he took over as the starter and rushed for over 1,700 yards. A year later, in 2006, he set an NFL record with 416 carries and rushed for a Chiefs record 1,789 yards.
He would play seven full seasons in Kansas City and then finish his career with stints in Cincinnati, Washington and Miami before retiring after the 2011 season.
During his career, Larry got caught up in multiple legal issues and entered a downward spiral post-NFL career and it wasn't until a few years ago when Johnson started his journey back to God.
On this episode of the podcast, Larry Johnson shares his story of redemption and how God brought him out of his lowest moments and back to being a man his daughter can be proud of. This is a very transparent look at a guy who had it all in the NFL for a few years and after the pull of the world was winning, the grace of the Lord ultimately ended up bringing him the victory.
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Episode 448
Rebecca Bender is a survivor. Growing up in a small town in Oregon, Bender had dreams of living a purposeful life. Rebecca thought she found her fairytale when she moved to Las Vegas with her boyfriend. But her dream became her nightmare when her boyfriend became her pimp at the age of 19. Trapped in a life of chaos, coerced into prostitution, abused and controlled by her trafficker, Rebecca was forced into sex trafficking for nearly six years. Many attempted escapes, two brandings, and several pimps later, Federal Investigators raided the home, allowing her an eventual avenue for escape.
Today she is the CEO & Founder of RBI (Rebecca Bender Initiative) and Author of the new book, In Pursuit of Love, releasing on January 28, 2020. Rebecca is passionate about telling her story but even more, helping others tell their own.
Rebecca has consulted on some of the largest legal cases and was the only non-law-endorsement person to receive a special operations, all-access pass to assist police in Minneapolis during Super Bowl 2018. She also assisted Dateline in an undercover operation in Houston during the Super Bowl in 2017.
On this episode of the podcast, we hear Rebecca share her powerful story of human trafficking, finding faith in Christ to help her move forward, how God showed her to forgive those that hurt her, and her passion and desire to help others.
If you or someone you know may be caught up in human trafficking, you can call the human trafficking hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888.
Episode 447
Reverend Earl Smith is the team chaplain for the 2019 NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers as well as the NBA's Golden State Warriors.
In 1983, at the age of 27, Smith became the youngest person ever hired as a protestant chaplain by the California Department of Corrections.
Smith was born and reared in Stockton, Calif. The cycle of events in his life came to a head in 1975, when he was shot six times while living the life of a small-time gangster. Although expected to die, Smith’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 1983, Smith arrived at San Quentin just like everyone thought he would. Labeled as a gang member and criminal from a young age, Smith was expected to do some time, but after a brush with death during a botched drug deal, Smith’s soul was saved and his life path altered forever.
From that moment on, Smith knew God had an unusual mission for him, and he became a minister to the lost souls sitting on death row. For 23 years, Smith played chess with Charles Manson, witnessed 12 executions, and negotiated truces between rival gangs. But most importantly, Smith helped the prisoners of San Quentin find redemption and hope, and understand that it is still possible to find God’s grace and mercy from behind bars.
Smith is the author of the book “Death Row Chaplain,” released in 2014.
The ministry of Earl Smith is known across the nation. He 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. Smith 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, Reverend Earl shares the story of faith with the 2019 49ers, what that moment was like for him to see San Francisco go to the Super Bowl, dealing with adversity and ministering to those that are going through difficult times and how faith has changed and evolved in the NFL over the last 30 years.
You can listen to Earl Smith's first interview as he tells his incredible story from Episode 80 of the podcast here.
Episode 446
Marcellus Casey is the team chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs. Prior to his time with the Chiefs, Marcellus served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes doing sports ministry in the Kansas City area.
Marcellus graduated from Lee’s Summit High School before attending Northwest Missouri State University to play football and study public relations. Growing up with a father who pastored an inner city Church and worked as a chaplain to Olympic and professional athletes gave Marcellus an inside look at pastoral ministry and sports ministry. In both high school and college, he was elected by his peers to lead the FCA campus huddle. Then, in college he became the football team’s first chaplain at Northwest Missouri State.
In 2005 he was hired to be the full-time FCA campus chaplain at the University of Illinois. As chaplain he directly ministered to the wrestling, baseball, basketball and football teams. In 2009 he transitioned into the Eastern Illinois FCA Area Director overseeing their coaches, campus, camps, and community ministries. It was in 2011 that Marcellus was presented with the opportunity of moving back to Kansas City to serve as the Multi-Area Director of the Kansas City Metro for FCA. He accepted this new role and has effectively staffed the area to impact the Kansas City metro through the influence of coaches and athletes. As things were growing in Kansas City, Marcellus also led the staff in the state of Kansas and Missouri.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Marcellus about faith in the Kansas City Chiefs locker room, the Bible studies with the team this year, meeting Lamar Hunt as a kid, what his role entails, and why prayer has become a vital part of the team chapel gatherings during the playoffs.
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Brent Jones played 11 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers from 1987 to 1997. The four-time Pro Bowler played in 7 NFC Championship Games in his 11 years and won three Super Bowl titles in 1988, 1989 and 1994.
Jones was initially selected in the 5th round of the 1986 NFL Draft (135th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers but after an accident caused a herniated disk in his neck, Brent missed all of the 1986 season. After moving on from the Steelers, he signed on with the 49ers and in his second season, found himself winning his first Super Bowl, beating the Bengals 20-16
Brent would go on to be mainstay on that potent San Francisco 49ers offense with legends like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Roger Craig, Tom Rathman and others.
On this BONUS episode of the podcast, we talk to Brent Jones about his San Francisco 49ers journey, watching his old team make it to the Super Bowl, playing in Miami, how he came to faith in Christ and how he became a part of the very first 50-yard line postgame prayer in NFL history back in 1990.
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Episode 445
Napoleon Kaufman is a former NFL running back who played six seasons with the Raiders. He was selected in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft (18th overall) out of the University of Washington, where he was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 1994.
Kaufman holds the single game rushing record for the Raiders, rushing for 227 yards in a 1997 game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.
At the age of 27, Kaufman abruptly retired from the NFL to pursue ministry as a pastor and today, is the Senior Pastor at THE WELL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH in Livermore, California.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Napoleon about being part of Raider Nation, coming to faith during an NFL training camp, feeling called to leave football for ministry and the importance of keeping Christ as the foundation of his life.
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Episode 444
Blake Mazza just finished his redshirt sophomore season as the kicker for the Washington State football team. The Plano, Texas native was one of the top kickers in the country and became the first kicker in Washington State football history to be a finalist for the Lou Groza award for college football's top kicker.
After redshirting his freshman season at the University of Arkansas, Mazza transferred to Washington State and was their kicker in 2018 as a redshirt freshman. In 2019, he was awesome, hitting on 20 of 21 field goals and finishing with 115 points. He was named first team All-Pac 12 in 2019 for his efforts.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Blake about his 2019 season, growing up a pastor's kid, leading ministry in college at Washington State and how he stays grounded in his faith during a long season.
For more Sports Spectrum content, visit our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 443
Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr is the senior pastor at The House of Hope in Atlanta, Georgia. Besides leading a congregation as a minister, he is also a teacher, musician, actor and media producer with EDS Ministries.
He began his journey as a minister at the age of 19 and has been producing media and film now for over 25 years. The sought-after keynote speaker is a Morehouse College grad and is the author of many books including his latest, "Maximizing Your Membership."
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Dr. Smith about the different roles God has brought him to in ministry, his love/hate relationship with the Dallas Cowboys, why he started a youth basketball league in 2012 and how the Lord has helped him through a crisis of faith back in 2016.
For more Sports Spectrum content, check out our website http://SportsSpectrum.com.
Episode 442
Matt Wieters has played 11 seasons as a Major League Baseball catcher. He was selected in the first round (5th overall) in the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Two years later, he would make his MLB debut in 2009 for Baltimore against the Detroit Tigers and a day later, would have his first career MLB hit, a triple, off of pitcher Justin Verlander.
During his nine seasons in Baltimore, Wieters would be named to four All-Star teams and win the Gold Glove award in 2011 and again in 2012.
In 2017 and 2018, Wieters was a catcher for the Washington Nationals and in 2019, he played with the St. Louis Cardinals.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Matt about his 2019 season with the Cardinals, playing and learning from legendary catcher Yadier Molina, how he's trusting in God's plan for the 2020 baseball season, being a light in the clubhouse and why it is important to live in the increase of Christ.
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Episode 441
Mike "Doc" Emrick is a legend in the broadcasting circles. He's currently the play by play voice for NBC's NHL coverage. He began his broadcasting journey in college at Bowling Green in 1971 and is now in his 47th year of broadcasting professional hockey.
A multiple Emmy Award winner, Mike is known as "America's voice of hockey." In December 2011, Emrick became the first member of the media to be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and in December 2019, was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
An avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan, Mike was able to call his one and only regular season MLB game in 2016 with Bob Costas on MLB Network.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Mike Emrick about his hockey broadcasting journey, being inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, the importance of prayer, how he prepares for each game he broadcasts, and how he brings his faith into his job as a broadcaster.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 440
Jaelene Hinkle plays professional soccer for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She was selected seventh overall in the 2015 NWSL Draft by the Western New York Flash.
Playing the defender position, Hinkle starred in high school at Valor Christian in Highlands Ranch, Colo., where she was a Parade High School All-American and named first-team all-state.
She has played the last five seasons in the NWSL, the first two with Western New York and the last three with North Carolina, which has won three consecutive NWSL Shields (best regular-season record) and the past two NWSL championships.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Hinkle about her journey to pro soccer, winning the NWSL title again in 2019, where her journey with Christ began, and facing scrutiny for standing up for her faith.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 439
Rodney Pryor plays professional basketball in the NBA's G League with the Salt Lake City Stars. He played his college basketball at Robert Morris, where he helped his squad to an NCAA tournament berth in 2015. In 2016-17, he transferred to Georgetown, where he led the team in scoring (18.0 ppg) and started all 32 games for the Hoyas.
In 2017, after not getting selected in the NBA Draft, he decided to continue his pro basketball career and is currently in his third season in the NBA's G League.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rodney about his basketball journey and his desire to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA. Rodney's passionate about his faith in Christ and shares with us his testimony and why he believes the platform that he has been given is to glorify the Lord.
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Episode 438
Brad Mann is the founder of Livin’ The Dream, an organization that aims to positively influence people through the game of basketball. Comprising of youth teams, camps, clinics and leagues, LTD uses the game “to develop goodwill in order to lead people to God and to help them discover their God-given dreams.”
Mann played at various levels of basketball. He was a McDonald’s All-American nominee at Riverton High, as he set school records in points, rebounds, and blocks, and still remains the Kansas high school all-time leader in career rebounds.
He went on to play Division I basketball at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for three years, transferring after his junior season to Missouri Southern State University. He helped lead that team to the NCAA Division II Final Four and the best record in D-II.
After college, Mann toured internationally with Athletes In Action to play against top-level professionals, and he later signed a contract to play professionally for the Fargo Beez and the Salina Rattlers of the International Basketball Association (IBA).
Now, Mann is a USA Certified Youth Basketball Coach. He is also an ordained minister that holds a degree in communications and oversees the day-to-day operations of Livin’ The Dream.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Mann about starting Livin’ The Dream, intersecting his love for basketball with his love for God, overcoming cancer twice, and how sports ministry has changed over the years.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com