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.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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 435
Morolake Akinosun is an USA Olympic Sprinter. She began her career in college at the University of Texas where she was a four-time NCAA 4 x 100 champion and the winner of a gold medal at the 2013 USA Junior Championships in the 100m.
She is only the second woman ever to score in four events at an NCAA Outdoor Championships in consecutive seasons.
In 2015, she won a Gold Medal at the Pan American Games (4 x 100 m relay). In 2016 she won a Gold Medal at the Olympics in Rio (4 x 100 m relay) and in 2017, won a Gold Medal at the World Championships (4 x 100 m relay).
A year later in January of 2018, Morolake suffered a ruptured achilles injury that sidelined her for all of 2018 and half of 2019. She was able to return and in the Fall of 2019, earned a Bronze Medal at the World Championships (4 x 100 m relay).
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Morolake about overcoming adversity, finding purpose, training for the 2020 Olympics, living for Christ and walking that faith out on the Olympic stage.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 432
Brad Lomenick is the author of two books including "H3 Leadership" and "The Catalyst Leader." He is a business entrepreneur, speaker and leadership advisor.
For many years, Brad served as the president of Catalyst and the director of the Catalyst Leadership Conference. He also hosted the Catalyst Podcast and has been featured in TIME magazine, the Washington Post, Fox News, CNN and many other outlets.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Brad about leadership, the early days of podcasting, growing up with a high school football coach father, interviewing former OU coach Bob Stoops, and why being a constant learner is vital to leadership.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 430
Kevin O'Brien is the head coach of the Lipscomb University women's soccer team. He was named to the position in 2012 and has led the Lady Bisons to their first NCAA tournament appearances in 2018 and again in 2019.
The 2016 ASUN Coach of the Year began his soccer journey as a player leading the College of Charleston to two NCAA post season appearances, multiple top-20 rankings, the Elite 8 and was a two-time All-Conference selection and All-South Region player. Following his collegiate career, he played professionally (USL) for 8 years with the Charleston Battery and Charlotte Eagles.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kevin about the success he's had with Lipscomb, leading from the perspective of Christ, breaking old habits and the importance of developing relationship depth.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Burshaud "Shaud" Williams is a basketball coach overseas in China for the Loong Lions in the China Basketball Association.
On this BONUS episode of the podcast we talk to Shaud from China on what life is like as a coach in China, why he decided to take the leap and coach overseas, how the death of a friend on the basketball court in 2002 helped challenge him in his relationship with God and what living out his faith looks like in China currently.
You can follow Shaud on Instagram here.
Episode 428
Cecil Shorts III is a former NFL wide receiver. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft (114th overall). His NFL career saw him play four seasons with the Jags from 2011-2014, then to Houston in 2015 for a season and his last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016.
He was one of the few NFL players to have played their college football with a Division III school. Shorts was a standout receiver at Mount Union, where he was a 2-time First-team AP Little All-American in 2009 and 2010. In his sophomore season of 2008, Shorts helped his club to a Division III national championship. In 2009, he was named the D3Football.com National Offensive Player of the Year after recording 100 receptions for 1,736 yards with 19 touchdowns.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Cecil shares what life is like being a father to seven children under the age of 8. He also shares candidly about his struggles and temptations he faced in college and the NFL. Cecil talks about the adjustment from being a current player to a former player and the moment he knew that his pro football playing days were done.
For more information, please log on to our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com
As the south’s sweetheart of sports, Rachel Baribeau has been dubbed an “SEC-ologist” as she has covered the SEC, and college football, for over ten years. In fall of 2015, she was bestowed a Heisman vote by the Heisman Trust. These days can be heard on SiriusXM’s ESPNU Radio. She was the first female host on that platform.
Rachel is also an avid speaker at many colleges and churches, sharing her story on “Changing the Narrative.”
Today, we throw it back to Episode 41 of the podcast and hear how Rachel is impacting the lives of so many athletes and why she's changing the narrative.
You can hear the entire episode of our conversation with Rachel from Episode 41 HERE or by searching her name in the Sports Spectrum podcast archives.
Episode 427
Cooper Rothe is the kicker for the University of Wyoming football team. In 2018, Rothe was one of three national finalists for the Lou Groza Award. He was number one in the nation in field-goal percentage (94. 1 percent, making 16 of 17 field goals).
In 2019, he's made 14 field goals and his 334 career points are number one on the Wyoming football team's all-time list.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Cooper about his Wyoming football career, preparing for his final game, watching former teammate Josh Allen in the NFL with the Bills, his goal to kick at the next level and his testimony of faith in Christ.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 426
Bernhard Langer is a golfing legend. He's the winner of two Masters championships in 1985 and 1993. He has 114 professional in his career and reached the number one overall ranking in April of 1986.
Growing up in Germany, Langer turned pro in 1972 and is one of five golfers to have professional golf event victories on all six continents where golf is played. He has victories on all the premiere tours, with 42 wins on the European Tour (2nd most all-time), three on the PGA Tour, and numerous international victories; including wins on the Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, Australasian Tour, and the Tour de las Américas.
In 2001, Langer was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Since joining the senior golf touring ranks, he has dominated the field winning the 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2019 Senior British Open Championship and being named Champions Tour player of the year in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Bernhard Langer about his desire to continue playing golf as long as he can, his coming to faith in Christ after winning the Masters in 1985, winning a second Masters on Easter Sunday in 1993, and the crazy story of his father escaping as a prisoner during World War II.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 425
Don Cousins is a pastor at Discovery Church in Orlando, Florida and the author of multiple books including "Experiencing Leadershift" and "Unexplainable."
He also happens to the father of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Don Cousins about raising Kirk and his two siblings Kyle and Karalyne, what a Sunday is like for Don watching his son play for the Vikings, the powerful story Don shared with Kirk the night before the 2012 NFL Draft and Don's inspiring testimony of faith and overcoming cancer.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com