The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA champions and a big part of their run to a title has been the addition of point guard Jrue Holiday. In their Game 6 clincher against the Suns, Holiday almost had a triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds in helping Milwaukee to their first NBA title in 50 years.
Today on the podcast, we bring back to you a conversation we had with Jrue Holiday from 2018, when he shared his testimony of faith in Christ and how the importance of God in his life.
---
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Grace Norman is a 2016 Paralympic Gold Medalist. Grace was born with congenital constriction band syndrome in her left leg at birth, which resulted in the amputation of her left leg and right big toe below the knee when she was young. Norman competed in track & field and cross country in high school, where she became the first female amputee to finish on the podium at a high school track & field state championship.
Norman competed in both track & field and paratriathlon at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, becoming the first U.S. athlete to win gold in paratriathlon’s debut as a Paralympic medal event. She currently holds the world records for the 800-meter and 1,500-meter in the T44 classification for track & field.
In June, the Cedarville University graduate qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics, where Norman will compete in August of 2021.
On today's podcast, Norman shares how she's preparing for the 2021 Paralympics, her faith journey, how God has revealed himself to her over the past year, and how she was able to handle celebrity at the age of 18 when she won her first Gold Medal.
--
If you enjoyed this podcast with Grace Norman, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Jessica Long - Paralympic Gold Medalist
- David Prince – U.S. Paralympic Sprinter
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Dr. Shahrzad Slater is the wife to New England Patriots Pro Bowler Matthew Slater and mom to three kids.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Shahrzad about her passion for justice, why she and her husband Matthew are involved with IJM (International Justice Mission) and her desire to represent Jesus by serving others.
Go to IJM.com/Slavery to learn more about the International Justice Mission, the reality of slavery and human trafficking and how you can join the fight.
Bethany Hamilton was thrust in the spotlight at just 13 years old, when she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark and lost her arm. The traumatic injury seemingly ended her dream career as a professional surfer.
However, one month after the attack, Hamilton returned to surfing, and within two years had won her first national surfing title. At 17 years old, she realized her dream of surfing professionally and she is still an active surf competitor to this day.
Today on the podcast, Sports Spectrum contributor Jade McCarthy talks to Bethany about her life as a mom, whether she will get back in the water to surf professionally again, finding her identity in something bigger than herself and how God has brought her to a place to serve and mentor others.
--
If you enjoyed this podcast with Bethany, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Christian Yeager, TV Host/Surfer
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Inside the Chapel is a new show on the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network.
Hosted by Reza Zadeh (Denver Broncos NFL Chaplain) and Ikki Soma (Houston Rockets NBA Chaplain), this podcast features sports chaplains sharing message of faith and hope.
Today you'll get to hear a sample of this new podcast that is now available everywhere podcasts are found.
Subscribe/Follow:
APPLE: https://apple.co/3ynfvGZ
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/3wfZdxU
---
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Justin Simmons is a Pro Bowl safety with the Denver Broncos. He was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by Denver out of Boston College.
In college, Simmons was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) second team by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association and ACC head coaches. He was named to Phil Steele’s All-American fourth team and ProFootballFocus.com’s All-America honorable mention.
Since arriving in Denver, Simmons has solidified himself as the starting free safety and was rewarded with a four-year contract in March of 2021. This past season, he was named to his first Pro Bowl in a season that saw him reach a career-high five interceptions. Pro Football Focus named Simmons as a First-Team All-Pro in 2019 and Second-Team All-Pro in 2020.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Simmons about signing the new contract with Denver, trusting in God to guide his path, starting his foundation, standing up for justice and how becoming a dad has helped him grow closer to God the Father.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Justin, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Justin Simmons conversation from 2019
- Mark Schlereth, 3-time Super Bowl Champion
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Hunter Dozier is a Major League Baseball player with the Kansas City Royals. He was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft (8th overall) by Kansas City out of Stephen F. Austin. In 2016, Dozier made his MLB debut against the Oakland A's.
In 2019, Dozier hit 26 home runs, drove in 84 runs and led the American League with 10 triples. In February of 2021, Dozier signed a new four year deal to remain with the Royals.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Hunter Dozier about how he finds joy when he's struggling on the field, how his faith guides him each day, playing for an audience of one, and his MLB debut story.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Hunter Dozier, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Royals Manager Mike Matheny and his wife Kristin
- Gene Watson - Former Royals Director of Pro Scouting
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Demi-Leigh Tebow is the 2017 Miss Universe winner and the wife to Tim Tebow.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Demi about her passion for justice, her powerful story that led her to become involved in the fight against human trafficking, what the pandemic taught her about marriage and her thoughts on now being the wife of a current NFL player.
Go to IJM.com/Slavery to learn more about the International Justice Mission, the reality of slavery and human trafficking and how you can join the fight.
Since 2012, John Mosley has been the head basketball coach at East Los Angeles College. Mosley’s ELAC Huskies are currently featured in the 2021 season of the Netflix Emmy Award-winning sports documentary series: Last Chance U. The team is the first basketball program to be covered in the critically-acclaimed series.
Mosley is a former college basketball player at the JUCO and NAIA level, led the state in assists per game while playing for East LA. After his playing career, he pursued a job in coaching and spent five seasons as an assistant coach with Cal-Bakersfield from 2006-2011.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Mosley about being featured on Last Chance U, the platform that he's been given to share his about Christ, his one big concern with saying yes to Netflix and why he sees coaching as a ministry.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with John Mosley, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
– Tony Bennett – Virginia Men’s Basketball Coach
– Michael Porter Sr – Coach and NBA Father
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Zac Lowther was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round of of the 2017 MLB Draft after a successful college baseball career at Xavier University.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Zac about making his MLB debut on April 25, 2021 and what that experience was like for him. He shares how his faith in the Lord has evolved and grown since becoming a father and what life is like on the road as a pro baseball player working his way up through the minors.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Zac, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
– Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher
– Darryl Strawberry, 4-Time MLB Champion
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Nicole Mendes is a two-time softball national champion with the Oklahoma Sooners. As the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2017, she led the Sooners in batting average and stolen bases on the way to a Women's College World Series title. After her junior year in 2019, Nicole had knee surgery and missed most of the 2020 season. This year, she returned to the Sooners lineup as a redshirt senior and led OU to the 2021 Women's College World Series title.
During the 2021 WCWS, she hit .318 with 5 extra-base hits and stored a team-high eight runs. For her efforts, she was named to the all-WCWS tournament team. Nicole is also a member of the Mexican Olympic Softball team and will be competing for a Gold Medal starting in July in Tokyo, Japan.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Nicole about her faith in Christ, getting baptized and growing in her walk with the Lord. She also shares her emotions in winning a second national title with OU and preparing for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Nicole Mendes, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Patty Gasso, Oklahoma Sooners Softball Coach
- Sydney Romero, Former Oklahoma Sooners Softball Champion
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Max Garcia is entering his 7th season in the NFL as an offensive lineman. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. In his first professional season, Max was a part of a Super Bowl winning team when the Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
In college, Max played was a starter at the University of Maryland for two years and then transferred to the University of Florida, where he was a team captain. After playing four NFL seasons with the Broncos, Max signed with Arizona in 2019 and is entering his third season with the Cardinals.
On today's podcast, Max Garcia shares what it was like to be a part of a Super Bowl winning team in his rookie season, the excitement surrounding the 2021 Cardinals, the phone call he received from Peyton Manning after being drafted, how a moment in college turned his journey of faith around and the importance of building community with other believers.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Max Garcia, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
– Geremy Davis - NFL Wide Receiver
– Justin Forsett and Matt Forte – Life After the NFL
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Danielle Herzlich is an Army veteran, fitness expert and survivor of abuse. She is also the wife of former NFL linebacker Mark Herzlich.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Danielle about her story of overcoming sexual abuse, her passion for justice, why she and her husband are involved with IJM (International Justice Mission) and her desire to represent Jesus by serving others.
Go to IJM.com/Slavery to learn more about the International Justice Mission, the reality of slavery and human trafficking and how you can join the fight.
The Phoenix Suns are the 2021 Western Conference champions and in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. Today, we bring to you a conversation with their head coach Monty Williams as he shares his testimony of faith in Christ and how God has guided him during the highs and lows of life.
**Interview originally recorded September 2019**
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Ricky Pierce played 16 NBA seasons from 1982-1998 with nine different teams including the Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle Supersonics. He was originally selected 18th overall in the first round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. In 1984, he joined the Bucks and was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year twice in 1987 and 1990.
In 1991, he was named to the NBA's Eastern Conference All-Star team and five days after playing in the All-Star Game,he was traded from Milwaukee to Seattle for Dale Ellis. Pierce was known as one of the best mid-range shooters in the NBA and averaged 14.9 points per game in his 16 year career. In 1989-90, he averaged 23.0 ppg without starting a single game, an NBA record.
Today on the podcast, Ricky takes us back to playing in the NBA's golden eras of the 80's and 90's, what it was like to play against Michael Jordan, who he thinks the best shooter in NBA history is, how is faith in the Lord has evolved since his playing days and why God is now the most important thing in his life.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Ricky Pierce, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Avery Johnson - Former NBA Player/Coach
- Kristen Ledlow, NBA Host/Reporter
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Ebo Elder is a former professional boxer with a career record of 22-3 including 14 by knockout.
Today the former WBO NABO Lightweight champion talks about his boxing journey, praying for his opponent after knocking him out, walking away from boxing, writing a book and pursuing ministry.
You can learn more about Ebo by checking out his website here.
You can purchase his new book "The Great Comeback" here.
Watch Ebo knockout his opponent and then pray for him here.
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Ashley Brewer is a host for ESPN’s newly reimagined SportsNation as well as anchoring SportsCenter and contributing to other studio shows and programming.
Prior to joining ESPN in March 2020, Brewer served as weekend anchor and host for ABC7 in Los Angeles, covering the Dodgers in the World Series, Rams in the Super Bowl, and other major sporting events, in addition to co-hosting The Bachelor Winter Games on ABC. She began her career as a college football sideline reporter for Cox 7 and weekend sports anchor at KGUN-9, the ABC affiliate in Tucson, Ariz.
She attended the University of Southern California, where she was a member of the varsity women’s swimming team. She was a standout swimmer at Chaparral High School in her native Scottsdale, Az., and her brothers and sisters were college athletes as well.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Ashley about her new role at ESPN, how God worked through her during a personal dark time in life in 2020, covering Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles and why she devotes time to mentoring young women in the broadcasting business.
---
If you enjoyed this conversation with Ashley Brewer, we know you'll love these podcasts as well:
- Dan Orlovsky – ESPN Football Analyst
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Scotty Walden is the head football coach at Austin Peay University. He's the youngest head football coach in Division One at 31 years old. After a football career that saw him play quarterback in college at the Division Three level, he went into coaching and became a college football head coach at just 26 years old with East Baptist University (D-III). At the time of his hiring to East Baptist, he was the youngest college football head coach in America.
After one season at East Baptist, Walden became the receivers coach at Division 1 Southern Miss. In 2019, he was promoted to Co-Offensive Coordinator and in 2020, became the interim head coach for four games before taking the Austin Peay job in October 2020.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Scotty Walden about coaching spring football games in 2021 at Austin Peay, how the Lord led him through his coaching decisions, why unity is the secret to success in college football and how he's handled being the youngest head coach in division one college football.
---
If you enjoyed this conversation with Scotty Walden, we know you'll love these podcasts as well:
- Bryce Drew - Grand Canyon University Men's Basketball Coach
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Michael Thomas has played 8 seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers. He played his college football at Stanford and went undrafted in 2012. After stint on the practice squad with the Niners, he would make his NFL debut in December 2013 with the Miami Dolphins against the New England Patriots and intercepted a Tom Brady pass in that game.
Thomas would establish himself as a mainstay on special teams and in 2018, was named to the NFL's Pro Bowl. He was named as an All-Pro Special Teams Ace with Pro Football Focus three times and was named to Pro Football Focus's 2010's All Decade Team on special teams.
Off the field, Michael earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami Business School and in 2016, was named the "Good Guy" award winner from the Pro Football Writer's Association for his work assisting and cooperating with the media.
Today on the podcast, Michael Thomas shares how his life has changed welcoming his third child, his recovery from a torn pectoral in 2020, how Christ became Lord of his life, leaning on his faith after losing his mother and sister, and why it is so important for Michael to be more than an athlete.
---
If you enjoyed this conversation with Michael, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Shaun Alexander and Chris Broussard on Biblical Manhood
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Manny Randhawa is currently a baseball reporter based in Denver for MLB.com. A member of Baseball Writers Association of America, Manny is also the author of "The Blake Street Bombers," a book about the 1990's Colorado Rockies home run hitters.
Today on the podcast, Manny shares his incredible story of going from being an atheist to follower of Christ and how God now guides his life.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Manny, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- David Stein - From Jewish Atheist to Follower of Christ
- Former Rockies and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Darrell Waltrip is a NASCAR legend. He is a three-time Cup Series champion (1981, 1982, 1985) and posted a modern NASCAR series record of 22 top-five finishes in 1983, and 21 top-five finishes both in 1981 and 1986. Overall, Waltrip won 84 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the 1989 Daytona 500, and a record five victories in the Coca-Cola 600 (1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989).
He began his racing career in 1972 and retired following the 2000 season. In 1989 and 1990, he was voted Most Popular Driver on the Winston Cup Series circuit. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers, and in 2012 he was inducted into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Waltrip about his incredible racing career, his journey to Jesus, the importance of the Motor Racing Outreach ministry, and how his faith was impacted by the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001.
--
If you enjoyed the podcast with Darrell Waltrip, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Aric Almirola - NASCAR Driver
- William Byron – NASCAR Driver
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Taylor Morton is a former University of Alabama football player who currently serves as a student pastor at Valley View Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He is the author of several books including, "It's Only Pain But it's Real and it Hurts" and "Finding Purpose Through the Pain: Lessons Learned Through Losing Our Son."
His football career saw him make Alabama's team as a walk-on and eventually be a part of back-to-back BCS National Championship teams in 2012 and 2013 with the Crimson Tide.
But Morton's life has been anything but easy. In 2007, Taylor's brother Trent was tragically killed in a four-wheeler accident. In June 2013, Morton found out he had cancer. Eight years later, in March of 2021, Morton and his wife Linlee lost their baby boy Beckett right before birth.
Today on the podcast, Taylor Morton shares how God is sustaining him and his wife after the loss of their son. He also talks about trusting in Jesus in the trials and how he's found joy and hope amidst incredible pain in his life.
---
If you'd like to support Taylor and his wife Linlee, you can purchase his new book "Finding Purpose Through the Pain" here.
---
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Jeff Jarrett is a legend in the professional wrestling business. He is a third generation promoter and has been in the wrestling business for more than four decades. He made his pro wrestling debut in 1986 and reached the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 1992.
Jarrett is a six-time WWE Intercontinental Champion and one of three men to hold both the Intercontinental and European Championships simultaneously. In May of 2021, he launched a new podcast "MY WORLD WITH JEFF JARRETT."
Today on the podcast, we talk to Jeff about his strong faith in Jesus Christ, baptizing his daughter, faith in professional wrestling and what it meant for him to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Jeff Jarrett, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Ted DiBiase - WWE Hall of Famer
- James Laurinaitis - Former NFL Linebacker
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Kyle Snyder is a 2016 Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler. He is the youngest Olympic gold medalist and youngest world champion in U.S. wrestling history.
He was a three-time NCAA national champion at Ohio State with a career record of 75-5, and ended his college career as the first and only wrestler to win the NCAA, world and Olympic championships as a collegiate athlete.
Today we talk to Kyle about preparation for the now 2021 Summer Olympic Games and how his faith has grown since the pandemic postponed the event last year.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Kyle, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Kyle Snyder on Sports Spectrum in 2019
- Jim Gruenwald, 2-time Olympic Wrestler, Wheaton College Wrestling Coach
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Andrew East is a former professional football player. Shawn Johnson East is a former Olympic Gold Medalist. Together, they are now creating content on their YouTube channel "The East Family" with over 1 million subscribers. They also host their own podcast "Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew." They were married in April 2016 and their daughter Drew was born in October 2019. Their second child is expected this summer.
Shawn's Olympic success saw her come away with a Gold and three Silver Medals in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Since then, she's competed on Dancing with the Stars and written three books.
Andrew played college football at Vanderbilt as a long snapper and had stints in the NFL with the Chiefs, Seahawks, Raiders, Rams, Jaguars and Washington.
Today on the podcast, we talk with Andrew and Shawn about their engagement at Wrigley Field, the importance of faith in their life, preparing for baby number two, Andrew's NFL debut and stewarding their large platforms well.
---
If you enjoyed this podcast with Andrew and Shawn, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
- Dave and Ann Wilson - Vertical Marriage
- Dan Orlovsky, ESPN NFL Analyst
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.