Willie Buchanon played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers. He was selected 7th overall in the 1972 NFL Draft by the Packers and in his first season, was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1974 and 1978.
After seven seasons with the Packers, Buchanon moved to San Diego and finished his final four seasons with the Chargers. After his football career ended, Willie was named to the San Diego Chargers 50th anniversary team and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Willie about his NFL playing career, growing up as a pastor's kid and living his life as a follower of Christ. Willie also shares his miraculous story of surviving a stroke and how being prepared helped save his life.
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Keith Pugh played football with the University of Alabama from 1977-1979. The wide receiver was a member of the 1978 and 1979 Crimson Tide national championship teams. After football he went into ministry and served as a senior pastor in several churches in Alabama for multiple decades.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Keith about his time at Alabama, playing football under coach Bear Bryant, giving his life to Christ and making the decision to go into ministry as a pastor.
Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. - http://TheIncrease.com
Dave Ralston was the former athletic trainer at the University of Michigan from 1990-1996. During his time with the Wolverines, he was a part of two National Champion runner-ups in 1992 and 1993, led the Fab Five of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King.
Dave's new book "Fabulous: My Journey with the Fab Five" releases April 4, 2023.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Dave Ralston about his time with Michigan and hear some incredible stories of inside access with the famed "Fab Five" and being a part of two national champion runner-up teams.
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Welcome to the Sports Spectrum Minute featuring a short clip of inspiration from a previous Sports Spectrum Podcast interview.
Today we hear from 8-time MLB All-Star and former Mets and Yankees slugger Darryl Strawberry. He appeared on Sports Spectrum's Podcast in March 2019. You can listen to the entire interview here.
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Kirk Cousins is the Minnesota Vikings quarterback. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Washington and after six seasons there, signed as a free agent with the Vikings in 2018.
This past season, Kirk led the Vikings to 13 wins, an NFC North division title and orchestrated the greatest comeback in NFL history, leading Minnesota to a 39-36 victory over Indianapolis after being down 33-0 at halftime. He was named to his fourth Pro Bowl and was awarded the 2022 Bart Star Award winner.
Today on the podcast, Kirk Cousins shares what his favorite "God" moment was from the 2022 season, his involvement with the new Netflix documentary and his intentionality on how he represents Christ on the field.
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Ben Newman is an author, speaker and performance coach. He is the author of the #1 Wall Street Journal Best-Seller - UNCOMMON Leadership and the performance coach for Michigan State's football and basketball programs as well as serving with Alabama as their Mental Conditioning Coach.
Newman has shared a stage with legends including Jerry Rice, Ray Lewis, Tony Dungy and many others. He is consistently ranked in the top 50 speakers in the world rankings by Real Leaders Magazine.
Today on the podcast, Ben Newman shares his powerful story of coming to faith in Christ, following the call to become a performance coach and why the work that he does is a reflection of his walk with God.
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Clay Holmes is a relief pitcher with the New York Yankees. In 2022, he settled in as the Yankees closer finishing with 20 saves, an ERA of 2.54 and a spot on the American League All-Star team. In the 2022 postseason, he helped the Yankees to the American League Championship series and allowed zero runs in 5 postseason appearances.
Holmes was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 9th round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft and made his MLB debut in April of 2018 with Pittsburgh. He would remain there until a mid-season trade in 2021 to New York.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Clay Holmes about growing up the son of a pastor, the impact his father had on him to serve others, being patient in his baseball career and finding his identity in Jesus.
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Nick Ahmed is a two-time Gold Glove winning shortstop with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spoke to Jade McCarthy on Sports Spectrum's Transformed Podcast.
Nick's new 7 Pillar Health and Performance can be found here - https://7pillarhealthandperformance.com/
Subscribe to the Transformed Podcast here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sports-spectrums-transformed-with-jade-mccarthy/id1484216711
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Scott Spiezio played 12 seasons with the Angels, Cardinals and Mariners and A's. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1993 MLB Amateur Draft by Oakland and made his MLB debut in September 1996.
He was a member of two World Series championship teams in 2002 with the Angels and 2006 with the Cardinals. He retired after the 2007 season and for many years battled addiction and health issues and was able to get sober a few years ago.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Scott Spiezio about his baseball journey, winning World Series, the battle he had with addiction, God giving him a new life and his desire now to help others.
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Ryan Smyth played 19 NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. He was originally selected 6th overall in the 1994 NHL Draft by Edmonton.
Smyth retired after the 2013-14 season and finished his career with 386 career goals and 842 points. In 2023, Smyth was named to the inaugural Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame class along with legends Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and others.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Ryan Smyth about retirement, being inducted into the inaugural Oilers Hall of Fame class, growing up in a Christian home and his struggle in making hockey his god.
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Kerry Carpenter is an outfielder and designated hitter with the Detroit Tigers. He was selected in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft by Detroit and made his MLB debut on August 10, 2022.
In 98 minor league games in 2022, he hit .313 with 30 home runs and was named Eastern League (AA) Player of the Month in May. A few months later he was recalled to the big league club and in 31 games with the Tigers, he hit .252 with 6 home runs.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Kerry Carpenter about his 2022 season, getting called up to the big leagues, giving his life to Christ after his dad's death and finding a true identity in Jesus.
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Today on the podcast, our Sports Spectrum Managing Editor, Jon Ackerman joins host Jason Romano to preview the 2023 Spring edition of the Sports Spectrum magazine with Oklahoma softball players Grace Lyons, Jordy Bahl, Alyssa Brito and Rylie Boone on the cover.
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Shawn and Carrie Purdy are the parents of San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Shawn and Carrie about the last 12 months, watching their son Brock get drafted and having success on the field and staying faithful to God.
Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more.
Jerry Colangelo is the former owner of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA and the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball. In 1998, he brought MLB to Phoenix and served as Chairman and CEO of the 2001 World Series champions.
Colangelo began his professional basketball career in 1966 with the Chicago Bulls working as a scout and marketing director before becoming the youngest General Manager in the NBA in 1968 when he took a role with the Suns. Throughout his time in Phoenix, he won four different NBA Executive of the Year honors in 1977, 1982, 1990 and 1994.
Currently, Jerry is the chairman of the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Jerry Colangelo about trusting in Jesus, being bold in sharing his faith, starting chapel services at NBA games and the legacy he wants to leave.
Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. - http://TheIncrease.com
Wayne Simien is a character coach with the Kansas Jayhawks. He played his college ball with KU, where he was a consensus All-America selection and Big 12 Player of the Year in 2005. His success in college led him to become a first-round selection in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat (29th overall).
Simien played two seasons with the Heat, and earned an NBA championship ring his rookie season as Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal helped Miami to its first-ever championship in the 2006 NBA Finals. In October 2007, Simien was traded to Minnesota but never played another game in the NBA. He played a few more years overseas before retiring in May 2009 at the age of 26 to pursue ministry work.
Today he is serving with Kansas as their AD of Engagement and Outreach and his number 23 is retired at Allen Fieldhouse.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Simien about his new role with Kansas, growing up a Jayhawks fan, why he considers his work as ministry and lessons learned from Roy Williams, Bill Self and Pat Riley.
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Brock Kreitzburg is the Director of Disaster Response at Water Mission. In his former life, he was a college football player at the University of Toldeo and in 2006 competed in the Winter Olympics representing the United States as a bobsledder.
Thanks to our partners Water Mision for today's conversation. Learn more about the great work they do to bring clean water and sanitation to those in need by visiting their website - http://WaterMission.org
Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. -- http://TheIncrease.com
Jeremy Hefner is the pitching coach for the New York Mets. He joined the Mets in his current role prior to the 2020 season after spending one season in the 2019 as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Twins.
As a player, Hefner was selected in the fifth round in the 2007 MLB Draft by the Padres but after being traded to the Mets, made his MLB debut as a player in April with New York. After injuries took their toll, he retired in 2017 and went into coaching.
Today on the podcast, Jeremy Hefner returns to discuss the lessons he learned from 2022, finding purpose in his job and staying rooted in his faith during a long MLB season.
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Charlotte Smith is a North Carolina basketball legend and the head basketball coach for Elon University. She played her college basketball with the University of North Carolina was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 1994 Final Four and in the national championship game, she hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to give her team a 60-59 win over Louisiana Tech.
Smith would go on to play professional basketball in the WNBA from 1999-2006 and then went into coaching. She was named head coach at Elon in June 2011 and led the Phoenix to their first ever NCAA Tournament bid in 2017.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Charlotte Smith about her March Madness moment, hitting a game-winning three to win the national championship in 1994, the platform that God has given her after that shot and her desire as a coach and author to see players and coaches spend time in prayer.
Charlotte's new book "When Athletes Pray" is available here - https://www.whenathletespray.org/
Yan Gomes is a catcher with the Chicago Cubs. He was selected in the 10th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft by the Blue Jays and three years later, he made his MLB debut in May of 2012 with Toronto. His baseball journey has taken him from Toronto to Cleveland, Washington, Oakland and Chicago.
In 2018, Gomes was named to the American League All-Star Game and in 2019, he was a member of the Washington Nationals World Series championship team where he caught the final out to secure a Game 7 victory.
Today on the podcast, Jade McCarthy talk to Yan Gomes about the evolution of his faith, helping other teammates in their journey, being baptized and going from fan to follower of Jesus.
Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. - http://TheIncrease.com
Miles Burris played 3 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders after being selected in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft. In 2017, after his career was cut short due to injury, Miles went into acting and has appeared in many projects seen on Netflix, Disney+ and NBC.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Miles about his journey to the NFL, pivoting to acting and living as a believer in Hollywood.
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Grace Lyons is a shortstop with the Oklahoma Sooners softball program. She was a member of the 2021 and 2022 WCWS national championship teams. She was a NFCA First Team All-American in 2022 and in 2021 and 2022 was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Rylie Boone is an outfielder with the Oklahoma Sooners softball program and also a member of the 2021 and 2022 WCWS national championship teams. She was named to the 2022 Women’s College World Series All-Tournament Team and voted a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2021 and 2022.
Today on the podcast, Jon Ackerman talks to Grace Lyons about being the spiritual leader of the Oklahoma Sooners softball program and her desire to disciple and mentor those who can carry the torch after she finishes up her playing career. We also talk to Rylie Boone about growing in her faith and when Jesus became real to her.
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Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. - http://TheIncrease.com
Jordy Bahl is a pitcher with the Oklahoma softball program. In her first season of 2022, she dominated her freshman campaign going 22-1 with a 1.09 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 33 appearances. She was a 2022 NFCA First Team All-American and named the 2022 NFCA Division 1 Freshman of the Year.
JT Gasso is an assistant coach with the Oklahoma Sooners softball program under his mother Patty Gasso. His primary responsibilities include the Sooner offense as well as working with OU's outfielders. Gasso is in his eighth season with Oklahoma.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Jordy Bahl about her dominant freshman season and growing in her faith as a college softball player. In our second conversation we talk to JT Gasso about his journey at OU as a coach and the lessons learned from his Hall of Fame coaching mother.
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Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. - http://TheIncrease.com
Patty Gasso is the head softball coach at Oklahoma University in Norman. She joined the program in 1995 and has led her program to six College World Series championships.
Over the past two seasons, Oklahoma has won two consecutive WCWS championships and their record in that time frame is an unbelievable 105-7. Gasso is a four-time NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year and a 14-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and in 2012, was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Today on the podcast, we begin a series of interviews with members of Oklahoma's softball program as we traveled to Norman and sit down first with the coaching legend about her journey at Oklahoma, trusting in her faith to guide her as a coach and how she sees her team staying grounded amidst all of the success they've had.
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Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. --- http://TheIncrease.com
Beth Moore is an author, speaker and Bible teacher. She is the founder of Living Proof Ministies. Her new book "ALL MY KNOTTED LIFE" is out now.
Receive our Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here. http://SportsSpectrum.com/newsletter
Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. http://TheIncrease.com
Jacob and Cody Hollister are twin brothers currently playing in the NFL. Jacob is a tight end with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Cody is a wide receiver with the Tennessee Titans.
Both brothers entered the league in 2017 with the New England Patriots and played two seasons together, winning a Super Bowl in 2018 when the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3 to win Super Bowl LIII.
Today on the podcast, we talked with Cody and Jacob Hollister about their unique relationship as twin brothers playing in the NFL, the support that they have for each other, how Jesus guides both of their lives and the trip they went on in 2022 to the Holy Land in Israel.
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Looking for faith/sports gift ideas? Check out our new Increase store with Sports Spectrum apparel, gifts, devotionals and more. -- http://TheIncrease.com