Matthew Slater has played 10 NFL seasons since being selected in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
He is a 2-time Super Bowl champion and has been named to 7 consecutive Pro Bowls as a special teams ace with New England.
Slater's father Jackie, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is one of the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Matthew about the differences in winning and losing a Super Bowl, why he stays away from social media, growing up with a Hall of Fame dad and his memories of his one career NFL reception.
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Gigi Marvin is a member of the 2018 Gold Medal winning USA Olympic Women's Hockey team.
Gigi scored a goal in the overtime shootout and helped Team USA achieve their first ever Gold Medal beating Canada 3-2 in an absolute classic.
Having just returned from the Olympics, we caught up with Gigi in Washington D.C. as she's traveling with her squad on a victory tour around the U.S.A.
On this episode of the podcast, Gigi shares that incredible moment of winning the Gold Medal, how God helped keep her at peace in the days leading up to the big game, how winning the Gold is going to increase her platform to share Christ, and whether or not that is the greatest game she's ever been a part of.
You can learn more about Gigi Marvin's story from our original interview with her on Episode 64 of the podcast here.
Brett Phillips is one of the funniest people in baseball.
The 23-year-old was selected by the Houston Astros in 6th round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
On July 30, 2015, he was traded from Houston to Milwaukee as part of a 6 player deal that included Carlos Gomez, among other prospects.
Phillips made his MLB debut on June 5, 2017 for the Brewers in a game against the San Francisco Giants.
Away from the field, Phillips has maybe the craziest laugh you'll ever hear.
On this episode of the podcast, Brett Phillips shares why he did a back flip at an Andy Mineo concert, what it was like to make his MLB debut, growing up as a neighbor to Randy "Macho Man" Savage, and why he embraces being the guy with the famous laugh.
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After playing 10 seasons in the NFL, running back Matt Forte has announced his retirement from professional football.
On this bonus episode of the podcast, Matt shares exclusively with Sports Spectrum why he decided to retire, the role his faith in Christ played in his decision, his favorite memory as an NFL player, his love for the Chicago Bears fans and why preaching the Gospel and making disciples is his number one priority in retirement.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com.
2017 was the greatest season in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles franchise as they won their first ever Super Bowl.
On the field, the Eagles dealt with a ton of adversity overcoming injuries to key players including their starting QB Carson Wentz. Off the field though, a spiritual awakening took place and started to take shape this year.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to 5 members of that Super Bowl winning team, WR Torrey Smith, TE Trey Burton, OL Stefen Wisniewski, LB Jordan Hicks and DB Chris Maragos. Team chaplain Ted Winsley also joined the conversation as we looked back at everything that transpired throughout the 2017 season.
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Greg Tonagel begins his 13th season at the helm of the Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball team in 2017-18.
Tonagel and the Wildcats reached the summit in 2014 and 2016 as the program won two NAIA Division II national championships in three years. Indiana Wesleyan won the 2014 red banner in unprecedented fashion as they became the first team to win all five of their games at the national tournament by double digit. In 2016, Indiana Wesleyan defeated the top two seeds in the tournament to claim the title.
Tonagel is a two-time NABC/NAIA Division II National Coach of the Year.
In his 12 season as a head coach, Tonagel has already led Indiana Wesleyan to two national championships, one Final Four, five Elite Eight finishes, and eight Crossroads League regular season championships, including seven straight from 2009-15.
Perhaps the biggest influence that Tonagel and the staff have had on the program is the work ethic that they have instilled on and off the court. Tonagel’s teams have passion and toughness. Whether it is writing a paper, helping a neighbor or working out in the gym, Tonagel demands commitment and 100-percent effort from each student-athlete.
On this episode of the podcast, Coach Tonagel shares his "March Madness" moment during his playing days at Valparaiso, what basketball means to the state of Indiana, how he incorporates his faith into his coaching, what the motto of being "third" means, and the life verse that has kept him grounded in his faith.
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Daniel Schlereth is the son of former Super Bowl champion and NFL analyst Mark Schlereth.
The former MLB pitcher with the Tigers and Diamondbacks was selected in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft by Arizona and made his major league debut against the Atlanta Braves on May 29, 2009.
He was traded in 2010 to the Tigers and was a member of the Detroit club that made it all the way to the World Series in 2012.
In college at the University of Arizona, Schlereth played 3 seasons for the Wildcats baseball team. He also met his wife Bree there and they married in November of 2010.
On this episode of the podcast, Daniel and his wife Bree join us to talk about their journey to the Major Leagues, growing up with a Super Bowl winning Dad and dealing with adversity as a couple and then as parents.
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Todd Gerelds, son of Legendary Alabama high school coach Tandy Gerelds, witnessed God’s transforming grace at Woodlawn and throughout his dad’s life.
His book Woodlawn, based on the life he grew up as a child of a high school football coach in the racially divided deep south of Alabama, was made into a major motion picture.
Gereld's latest book Always Fall Forward, is a reflection on 52 of his dad's most formative "coachisms" that will encourage and direct you when life hits hard. This book challenges men to live the way Coach Gerelds lived --- grounded in faith and willing to stand up for what he believed in no matter the cost.
Todd's dad, Tandy Gerelds’s career spanned four decades and also included coaching stints at Shoals Christian School (AL), Belmont High School (MS), and Deshler High School where Todd played for his father, and where Coach Gerelds won the Alabama State Championship in 1990. His Deshler team broke the all-time scoring record at that time (603 points) and had a twenty-eight game winning streak. Todd, his wife, and four daughters live in Birmingham, Alabama.
Gerelds has spent over 20 years as an award-winning sales professional, sales trainer, and sales manager with three Fortune 500 companies.
Todd is married to Jennifer Morgan Gerelds. They have four daughters: Morgan, Bailey Kay "BK", Alli, and Maggie Leigh.
On this episode of the podcast, Todd shares why he wrote the book WOODLAWN, how it turned into a major motion picture, the passion that Alabama has for football, why his Dad was his biggest teacher and what the Lord is teaching him right now.
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Chris Lane is the chaplain for the Miami Marlins and ministers to baseball players. He's also the founder and executive director of First Priority, which ministers to high school students in the southeast Florida area.
One of the schools that Chris and his team at First Priority are a part of is Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the site of Wednesday's horrific school shooting that saw 17 people die and numerous more injured.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris takes us to the scene in Parkland on Wednesday and how he and many others responded by praying and ministering for families. Lane also shares how God has been working in the midst of a terrible tragedy and finding purpose in the pain.
Reverend Earl Smith is the team chaplain for the NBA world champion Golden State Warriors and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.
In 1983, at the age of 27, Earl became the youngest person ever hired as a Protestant Chaplain by the California Department of Corrections.
Earl was born and reared in Stockton California. The cycle of events in Earl’s life came to a head in 1975 when he was shot 6 times while living the life of a small time gangster. Although expected to die, Earl’s father’s faith, prayers and love seemed to bring him through. The words of his father have motivated him, since that event, “you are a rebel, but you are God’s rebel, and He is going to use you to His glory.”
In August of 2000, Chaplain Smith was recognized as the “National Correctional Chaplain of the Year.”
Earl currently serves as the Team Pastor for the Golden State Warriors and the San Francisco 49ers’. From 1998 to 2005 Earl was the Chapel Leader for the San Francisco Giants.
Smith is the author of the book "DEATH ROW CHAPLAIN," released in 2014.
The ministry of Earl Smith is known across the nation. Earl has appeared on numerous broadcasts, including HBO, CNN, THE CBS Morning News, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, 100 Huntley Street, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel. Earl has been featured in such publications as People’s Weekly, Ministry Today, Newsweek, Ebony, Christianity Today, Guidepost, The African Americans and Time. Earl has received two “Angel” awards for excellence in media.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Reverend Earl about being a team chaplain in the NFL and NBA, his amazing story growing up in a gang, almost dying, getting saved, becoming a prison chaplain and some of the incredible things he saw God do with inmates on death row.
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Taylor James plays the lead role as the title character in the upcoming PURE FLIX movie, SAMSON.
Taylor's many film and television credits include BLITZ for Lionsgate; MAMMA MIA for Universal; and JUSTICE LEAGUE for Warner Bros. His acting career launched on London's West End as an original cast member in the U.K. production of the musical Footloose, playing the iconic character of William Hewitt.
On this episode of the podcast, Taylor shares how he prepared for such an iconic role as SAMSON, how he was able to fast from food during the shoot, his love for the NBA, and why he feels forgiveness is something we can all receive from God.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Tyler Beede is a pitcher with the San Francisco Giants organization. He was selected in the 1st round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt, where his club won the College World Series.
Alexandria (Allie) DeBerry Beede is Tyler's wife. She's an actress, appearing in many different movies and TV shows including Disney Channel's Ant Farm.
Tyler and Allie married on November 26, 2017.
On this episode, 2 days after getting married, Tyler and Allie shared why they decided to spend their honeymoon at a Christian baseball conference, the crazy story of how they met on social media, being on a platform of fame and celebrity as believers in Christ, and how they plan to honor the Lord in their marriage.
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On this special edition of the Sports Spectrum Podcast live from Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, we spoke with New York Jets QB Josh McCown, Jets RB Matt Forte and former Rams legendary WR Isaac Bruce.
Josh McCown came up with the idea to create FOOTBALL SUNDAY and show the stories of faith and football in churches around the country.
Matt Forte talks about promoting Jesus at the Super Bowl.
Isaac Bruce shares about being patience and praising Jesus while he waits for his opportunity to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Live from Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, we were able to chat with Eagles players Zach Ertz, Brandon Graham and Malcolm Jenkins as well as Patriots players Matthew Slater, Trey Flowers and James White.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
On this special edition of the Sports Spectrum podcast, we are live from Minneapolis at Super Bowl LII where we interview Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, Former NFL QB's Dan Orlovsky and Bruce Gradkowski and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Leger Douzable.
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Clyde Christensen has been a part of the NFL coaching fraternity for over 20 years. He began his coaching career in college in the late 1970's and moved to the NFL in 1996 with Tony Dungy and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Coach Christensen followed Dungy to the Indianapolis Colts, where in 2006, they were a part of winning Super Bowl XLI, beating the Bears 29-17.
Clyde was the wide receivers coach, quarterback coach and offensive coordinator during his time with the Colts from 2002 to 2015.
In 2016, Clyde moved to Miami and became the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins. He held that position until January of 2018 when he was re-assigned in a new role as Senior offensive assistant coach.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Clyde about coaching Peyton Manning, what makes him so special, preparing for a Super Bowl, how he navigates being a man of faith with being an NFL coach and what he learned watching Tony Dungy live out his Christian walk during his coaching career, and now as a broadcaster.
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Jack Easterby is in his 5th season as the New England Patriots Team Character Coach as well as a Director of Team Development. In addition to his current role with the Patriots, Easterby has served in consulting roles for the National Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Southeastern Conference, the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, the United States Olympic Teams, as well as being entrusted with dozens of head coaching searches at both power five and mid major universities for multiple sports. He is a trusted confidant to players and coaches alike.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jack about the Patriots 2017 season, how this Super Bowl season differs from last year, Tom Brady off the field, and how players like Matthew Slater and Nate Solder are living out their faith in Christ as leaders on the team.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Ted Winsley is in his 17th season as the team chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the senior pastor at “Family Church” in New Jersey and continues to minister to the Eagles players spiritual needs throughout the year.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Pastor Ted about the Eagles 2017 season, the remarkable run to the Super Bowl, overcoming adversity, the example of Carson Wentz, and why Nick Foles is a huge reason for the culture that has been built inside the Philadelphia locker room.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Ryan Hollingshead is a professional soccer player in the MLS with FC Dallas.
On January 6, 2017, Ryan Hollingshead almost died.
While stopping to help a stranded motorist, Ryan was stuck by a motor vehicle that had crashed due to icy conditions, launching him 30 feet into the air. He sustained three broken veterbrae in his neck as a result of the collision, but miraculously survived and then returned to soccer in the summer of 2017.
On this episode of the podcast, Ryan shares his story of coming to faith in Christ, putting his professional soccer career on hold to help his brother plant a church, and how he survived a near-death auto accident.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
As a former NFL player, Bill Curry learned the game from such legendary masters as Bobby Dodd, Vince Lombardi, and Don Shula. He snapped the ball to a who's who list of quarterbacks, including Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, and Billy Lothridge. He was a two-time Pro Bowl center and a three-time NFL Champion, including victories in Super Bowls I and V.
As a coach, Bill restored the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to national prominence. At the University of Alabama, where he was named Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year, Bill led the Tide to an SEC Championship and to berths in the Hall of Fame Bowl, the Sun Bowl, and the Sugar Bowl. At Kentucky, Bill led his Wildcats to their first bowl game in nearly a decade. In 2008, Bill became the first head coach at Georgia State, who played its inaugural season in 2010.
As a leader, Bill served as President of the National Football League Players Association during one of the most tumultuous periods in NFL history. He was later the Chief Operating Officer for the National Consortium for Academics & Sports. From 2006 to 2008 Bill served as the Executive Director of the leadership initiative at The Baylor School in Tennessee. Bill's counsel is treasured throughout the country by businesses and other organizations attempting to cultivate leaders from within their ranks.
As an analyst and on-air personality for ESPN, Bill was the broadcast equivalent of comfort food. There was nothing better for the true football fan – no surer source for that indescribable feeling of satisfaction and contentment, and, indeed, that all was right in the world of college football – than settling into a plush easy chair on Saturday night and hearing that unmistakable voice analyzing . . . teaching . . . but never pandering.
In 1977, with dear friend and muse George Plimpton, Bill wrote his first book: "One More July – A Football Dialogue." In 2008, Bill's next book – "Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle" – was released by ESPN books and was immediately praised by author Pat Conroy as the best book ever about the NFL.
As a husband, he has somehow managed – through 35 moves and more than fifty years of marriage – to hang onto to his brilliant and beautiful wife Carolyn, who was Bill's grade school sweetheart. In Bill Jr. and Kristin, Bill has two incredibly accomplished and successful children. And, in grandchildren Alex, Elliot, Evelyn, Claire, Brett, Jack and Jamie, Bill has the most promising generation yet of the Curry family.
On this episode of the podcast, Bill Curry talks about growing up with a skeptic of a Father, how his faith grew from watching his Dad's conversion to Christ, asking for forgiveness on Vince Lombardi's death bed, and how his faith in Jesus has helped him overcome adversity as a head coach. This podcast is storytelling gold.
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Mac Powell is the lead singer of the successful christian rock band Third Day. With Mac's leadership, the band has sold over 7 million albums in the United States and had 28 number one radio hits.
Mac won the 2001 Gospel Music Association award for "Male Vocalist of the Year."
A die-hard sports fan, Mac's allegiances belong to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons.
In 2012, Mac released his first solo album, "Mac Powell" and followed that up in 2014 with his second album "Southpaw."
In August of 2017, Third Day celebrated their 25th anniversary and released their 13th studio album, "Revival."
Mac is married to Aimee, and has five children.
On this episode of the podcast, Mac shares his love for "Roll Tide," how he got started in the music industry, advice for young musicians trying to make it in 2018, why Larry Bird was his guy growing up, hanging with athletes who are fans of his music, and how discipleship on the road as a musician is a discipline that he implements daily.
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Darryl Strawberry played 17 MLB seasons with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees.
Strawberry won a World Series with the Mets in 1986, is the their all-time leader in career home runs (252) and was inducted to the team's hall of fame in 2010.
Later in his career, Darryl was a part of 3 World Series teams with the New York Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999.
Off the field, Strawberry struggled with addiction for most of his adult life. It wasn't until after his playing days that he reached rock bottom and only by the blood of Christ, was Darryl able to overcome and resurrect his life.
Darryl now is an evangelist who travels all around the country, telling people about Jesus Christ and the hope that is found in our creator. He and his wife Tracy founded "Strawberry Ministries" and are cultivating opportunities for those stuck in addiction to find a way out and find hope through Jesus.
On this episode of the podcast, Darryl shares his very real, very raw story of addiction, his struggles off the field during his career, why fame and fortune was the worst thing for him and how God was able to bring him back from his lowest point to be a vessel for Him.
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Jrue Holiday is a starting guard for the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans.
He was selected in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to New Orleans in July of 2013.
An All-Star in 2013, Holiday is currently averaging a career-high 18 points per game, to go along with 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
In July 2013, Holiday married USA women's national soccer team midfielder Lauren Chaney. The two first met at a UCLA women's basketball game during his only season at the school.
In September 2016, Holiday took an indefinite leave from the New Orleans Pelicans to take care of his wife, after she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The following month, Lauren had brain surgery, just weeks after giving birth to the couple's first child, a daughter, named Jrue Tyler Holiday.
On this episode of the podcast, Sports Spectrum's Justin Adams talks with Jrue about where his faith in Christ began, how his prayer life has evolved and brought him closer to his wife during one of the scariest times in his life.
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Adam LaRoche played 12 seasons in the Majors with 6 different teams, most notably the Pirates and the Nationals, where he won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award in 2012.
LaRoche abruptly retired from baseball in March 2016 after his club, the White Sox had placed a restriction on his 14-year-old son entering the team's clubhouse every day. By retiring, LaRoche walked away from a $13 million contract.
Adam's platform has allowed him to bring to light the issue of sex slavery and human trafficking.
Gary Haugen is the founder and CEO of International Justice Mission, who's mission is to rescue those enslaved in human trafficking, protect them from violence and bring hope and justice for the poor.
Before founding IJM in 1997, Gary was a human rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, where he focused on crimes of police misconduct. In 1994, he served as the Director of the United Nations’ investigation in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. In this role, he led an international team of lawyers, criminal prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and forensics experts to gather evidence that would eventually be used to bring the perpetrators of the genocide to justice.
Gary has been recognized by the U.S. State Department as a Trafficking in Persons “Hero” – the highest honor given by the U.S. government for anti-slavery leadership. His work to protect the poor from violence has been featured by Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, the New Yorker, The Times of India, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, the Guardian and National Public Radio, among many other outlets.
On this episode of the podcast, Jason Romano sits down with Gary and Adam in front of a live audience at a conference in San Antonio, Texas to talk about the real issue of human trafficking and sex slavery.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Brock Huard covers NFL and College Football for ESPN. He's also the co-host of the Brock and Salk show on 710 ESPN in Seattle and is the host of the "Above and Beyond" podcast.
Brock was selected in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks out of the University of Washington.
He played 6 seasons in the NFL, including 2 as Peyton Manning's backup in Indianapolis.
Brock was the 1995 Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year.
On this episode of the podcast, Brock and Jason talk about Brock's journey to faith in Christ, being authentic as an analyst, why he feels it's a necessity to meet weekly in a discipleship group, and balancing family with the rigors of a broadcast schedule that has him traveling across the country.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com