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Sports Spectrum Podcast

Launched in 2017 and now with over 5 million downloads, Sports Spectrum's podcast features stories on the intersection of sports and faith. Hosted by former ESPN Senior Producer Jason Romano, new conversations drop multiple times each week.
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Now displaying: 2021
May 7, 2021

Chris Mortensen is an award-winning journalist and one of the most respected and accomplished reporters covering the National Football League today. A senior NFL Insider, Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991. He regularly appears on “NFL Live,” “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday Night Countdown,” “SportsCenter” and other programs. Mortensen also contributes to ESPN’s annual Super Bowl week and NFL Draft coverage, and his work regularly appears on ESPN.com.

Honored by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) in 2016 with the prestigious Dick McCann Award for his long and distinguished contribution to pro football, Mortensen has covered every Super Bowl since 1985 with the exception of Super Bowl 50, when he was forced to take a leave of absence after being diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. Even while undergoing treatment, Mortensen broke one of the biggest news stories of the NFL offseason when his report in March 2016 confirmed that future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning would retire after 18 NFL seasons.

Today on the podcast, Jade McCarthy talks with Mort about covering the 2021 NFL Draft and shares incredible stories from those he's covered in the NFL the past 30 years who have lived lives of faith in Jesus. You'll hear Mort's recollections in covering people like Joe Gibbs, Reggie White, Deion Sanders, Tony Dungy, Jim Kelly and others. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Chris Mortensen, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Chris Mortensen's journey of faith from 2019

- Sam Ponder, ESPN NFL Host

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

May 6, 2021

Bradley Pinion is a Super Bowl champion and the punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Today on the podcast, we talk to Bradley about how his life has changed since winning a Super Bowl, the coolest thing he experienced after winning the big game and why God guided him to be a part of the great work Convoy of Hope is doing.

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Learn more about Convoy of Hope by going to ConvoyNation.com.

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Listen to Bradley's previous conversation where he shares his incredible story of faith on Sports Spectrum here

May 5, 2021

A.J. Ellis is a former MLB catcher with the Dodgers, Phillies, Marlins and Padres. He was selected in the 18th round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft by Los Angeles. He played his college baseball at Austin Peay, where he became the all-time leader in hits. 

Ellis made his MLB debut on September 15, 2008 with the Dodgers and played 9 seasons in LA before being traded to the Phillies. He would play two more seasons with the Marlins (2017) and Padres (2018), before retiring and joining San Diego's front office as a Special Assistant to the General Manager

Today on the podcast, A.J. Ellis shares amazing stories from his time as an MLB catcher working with players like Clayton Kershaw and Greg Maddux and playing for managers Joe Torre and Don Mattingly. Ellis also discusses what it was like to be on the cover of Sports Spectrum's 2015 Summer Magazine. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- James McCann, Mets Catcher
- Erik Kratz, Former MLB Catcher

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

May 3, 2021

Shane Williamson is the President and CEO for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A native of Loris, S.C., Williamson became a Christ follower while attending an FCA Camp in Black Mountain, N.C., in 1986. Following that life-changing experience, his high school head football coach, Tim Renfrow, discipled him and became his encourager, mentor and role model. This enduring impact of a coach influenced Williamson to make his own commitment to the power of transformational coaching in the world of sports.

Williamson attended Wofford College (S.C.) earning a B.S. in Biology while playing football for coach Mike Ayers. He remained active in the FCA Huddle throughout his years including serving as an officer. He then attended Converse College (S.C.) earning a Master’s degree in Secondary Education.

Bringing understanding and experience as a coach and athlete, Williamson joined the FCA movement as a staff member in 2002 as the Upstate South Carolina Director. He then became the Multi-Area Director for Metro Atlanta FCA from 2005-2011. His roles in FCA continued to expand as he went on to serve as the Vice President of Field Ministry for the Carolinas from 2012-2014, and followed by leading all of FCA’s U.S. Field Ministry as the Executive Director from 2014-2016.

Today on the podcast, we talk to Shane about his journey to Christ, the role FCA has played in his life since he was a kid, the keys to being a great leader, and why sports is such a great space to share the Gospel.

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Shane, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Sarah Roberts - FCA Area Director

Kent Chevalier, Steelers Chaplain

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com.

May 1, 2021

The legendary Albert Pujols of the Los Angeles Angels shares his story of baseball, Jesus and serving others on today's episode. 

This interview originally aired on Sports Spectrum's Get in the Game Podcast with Scott Linebrink. You can sign up and listen to the podcast here.

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Albert, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

- Adam Wainwright and Francis Chan

Apr 30, 2021

Bryant Young played 14 seasons in the NFL with the 49ers. He was selected by San Francisco in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft (7th overall) and would play his entire career with the Niners winning a Super Bowl and being named to four Pro Bowls. 

In college, he was a standout defensive player at Notre Dame and after coming to the NFL, he would dominate for many seasons on a defensive line that saw him be named First-Team All-Pro in 1996 and Second-Team All-Pro in 1998, 1999 and 2001. He was a member of the 1990's All-Decade Team and was named as a member of the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2020. 

Today on the podcast, Bryant Young shares his story of football and faith, being named to the 49ers Hall of Fame, growing up in Chicago as a Bears fan and facing his former team, the importance of playing his entire career with one team and how God has worked in his life following the death of his 15-year old son Colby in 2016. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Bryant Young, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Earl Smith - 49ers Team Chaplain

Josh McCown - NFL Quarterback

For more stories on sports and faith, visit our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Apr 28, 2021

C.J. Ham is currently the starting fullback for the Minnesota Vikings. In college at Augustana University (Division II), he helped his team advance to the NCAA playoffs, and led the Northern Sun Conference in rushing yards and touchdowns. 

In 2016, he was signed as an undrafted free-agent by the Vikings and after being cut, was signed to the team's practice squad just before the start of the season. In December of 2016, Ham would sign to the active roster and make his NFL debut.

Three seasons later, in 2019, Ham made the Pro Bowl and signed a contract extension in early 2020. 

Today on the podcast, C.J. Ham shares about the roller coaster of emotions he's been dealing with the past 15 months, losing his mother to cancer, his wife giving birth to their third child, playing through an NFL season during Covid-19 and trusting in the Lord through it all.

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If you enjoyed this podcast with C.J. Ham, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings QB

- Dave and Ann Wilson - No Perfect Parents

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Apr 27, 2021

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney joins us today to talk about his former QB Trevor Lawrence and what the Jaguars can expect when they draft him. We also hear how Dabo leads from the inside out and the role his faith in Jesus plays in his life. 

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You can watch the entire Sports Spectrum Draft Special hosted by Brock Huard and featuring this interview with coach Dabo at our Facebook and YouTube channels as well as at our website SportsSpectrum.com

Apr 26, 2021

George Gregory is the team chaplain of the Los Angeles Chargers. For more than twenty years he and his wife Tondra have been marriage and relationship coaches to thousands of couples around the world. They have worked with many current and retired couples throughout the National Football League. Together, they lead a ministry called Journey for Life Now

George has written and co-authored multiple books including the new release “Imperfect Dads: One Perfect Father," which is available in June of 2021. 

Today on the podcast, George shares the crazy story of becoming the Chargers team chaplain, what it was like ministering to players and coaches during the pandemic season of 2020, the role his father played in shaping him spiritually and why his heart in serving with his wife is to help restore and strengthen marriages. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with George, you'll love these conversations as well:

- Marcellus Casey - Kansas Chiefs Team Chaplain

- Kent Chevalier - Pittsburgh Steelers Team Chaplain

For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com

Apr 24, 2021

Marty Lamb has been scouting baseball players for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1999. Of the 10 first round picks for the Dodgers since 2015, Lamb was the area scout for six of them including Walker Buehler, Will Smith, Matt Beaty and Caleb Ferguson. 

Lamb also serves on the Board of Directors for Refuge for Women, a nonprofit, faith-based organization providing specialized long-term care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation. 

Today on the podcast, Marty Lamb tell us about his unique role behind the scenes as a scout for the Dodgers, coming to faith during his time in grad school at Mississippi State, and why he's passionate about helping women who have been caught in the perils of human trafficking. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Marty, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Kevin Burrell - White Sox Area Scouting Supervisor

- Sal Giardina – Pro Baseball Player

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Apr 23, 2021

Vinny Rey played his entire nine year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He came into the league as an undrafted free agent after playing his college football at Duke University. 

After being waived on September 4, 2010, Vinny would sign to the practice squad with Cincinnati the next day and was promoted to the active roster in week 15. He would spend the next 8 years on the active roster until his retirement following the 2018 season. 

Rey was twice nominated for the NFL's prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award and was a four-year team captain and the Bengals' leading tackler in 2014, 2015 and 2017. 

Today on the podcast, we talk to Vinny Rey about his unlikely journey to the NFL, growing up in New York City, his welcome to pro football moment, how his faith guides him each day and what the transition from current to former player has been like for him. 


If you enjoyed this podcast with Vinny, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Andy Dalton - NFL Quarterback

- LaMorris Crawford - Cincinnati Bengals Team Chaplain

For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Apr 21, 2021

Bart Millard is the lead singer of the legendary Christian rock band MercyMe. The band, founded in 1994, has released eight studio albums and had 13 consecutive top-five singles on the Billboard Christian Songs chart.

Millard’s life was depicted in the movie “I Can Only Imagine,” in which actor Dennis Quaid starred as his father who struggled with addiction and violence before coming to faith before his death from cancer. MercyMe's new album INHALE/EXHALE releases everywhere April 30, 2021. 

On today’s episode of the podcast, we talk to Millard about his 2 hour meeting with one of his music heroes, the satisfaction of having baseball back, the release of MercyMe's new album INHALE/EXHALE and the unique opportunity to produce a song with his son Sam.

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Bart Millard, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Bart Millard 2020 Conversation 

Matthew West – Singer/Songwriter

For more stories of sports and faith, please check out our website SportsSpectrum.com

Apr 19, 2021

Kerry McCoy is currently the Executive Director and head coach at the California Olympic Regional Training Center (RTC). Prior to that, he was the head wrestling coach for the University of Maryland from 2008-2019 where he led the Terps to three conference championships and was a three-time coach of the year. He also had coaching stints at Stanford University and Lehigh University. 

As a wrestler at Penn State, McCoy was a three-time NCAA All-American and a two-time National Champion. He competed at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, won a Gold Medal at the 2003 Pan American Games and a Silver Medal at the 2003 World Championships. 

Today on the podcast, Kerry shares his story of faith and wrestling and how God guided him through a journey that saw him participate in two Olympics as a wrestler and now the greater impact he hopes to have as a coach and mentor. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Kerry, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Tom Ryan - Ohio State Wrestling Coach

- Jose Campo - USA Wrestling Team Chaplain

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Apr 17, 2021

Amy Downs was one of the last survivors to be pulled from the rubble of the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing in which a total of 168 people were killed including 18 of her 33 co-workers. 

At the time of the bombing, Downs was a credit card loan officer who flunked out of college and weighed more than 350 pounds. In the last few years, Amy would not only lose 200 pounds, but she became a triathlete and even competed in an Ironman Triathlon. 

Today on the podcast, Amy shares in detail, what it was like to be trapped and thinking her life was over after the OKC bombing and how God allowed her to not only survive, but thrive as a CEO, triathlete and author

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Amy Downs, we know you'll love these conversation as well:

- The Incredible story of Katie Lentz 

- Chris Norton – The Seven Longest Yards

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com

Order Amy's new book "Hope is a Verb" here

Apr 16, 2021

Larry Foote is currently the linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For 13 seasons, he was an NFL player with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals. 

In college, Larry was a 2-time First Team All Big Ten selection and and a First-Team All-American during his time at the University of Michigan.

Larry has been a part of three Super Bowl championship teams, two as a player with the Steelers in 2005 and 2008 and one as a coach with the Buccaneers in 2020. 

On today's podcast, we talk to Larry Foote about the 2020 season, being a Super Bowl champion as a coach, growing up in the inner city of Detroit, how his faith became real to him in college at Michigan and why it is important for him to be the light to those he's around as a coach in the NFL

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Larry, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Kent Chevalier, Steelers Chaplain

- Clyde Christensen, Buccaneers QB Coach 

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com

Apr 14, 2021

Kyle Stark is a former MLB executive having worked with the front offices with the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates from 2004-2019. 

He was a front office assistant with the Indians for four seasons and then was hired as Director of Player Personnel with the Pirates in 2007. A few years later, in 2012, he was promoted to Assistant General Manager with the Pirates and helped lead Pittsburgh to three straight playoff appearances. 

He currently is consulting coaches and leaders and has a passion to see others grow in their leadership and joins us on the podcast today to share what he learned during his many years in Major League Baseball, the door that he broke down to make it into Major League Baseball and why it is important for us James 1:2 and embrace the suck.  

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Kyle Stark, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Clint Hurdle - Former MLB Manager

Jon Gordon, Power of a Positive Team

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Apr 12, 2021

Dave Wilson was the Detroit Lions team chaplain for 33 seasons. He and his wife Ann co-founded Kensington Community Church and now co-host the nationally syndicated radio show FamilyLife Today. 

Their first book "Vertical Marriage" released in 2019. Today on the podcast, we talk to them about their latest release, "No Perfect Parents" as they share fun and relevant stories on football, faith, pastoring, marriage and parenting. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Dave and Ann, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Dave and Ann Wilson on marriage from 2019

- Dan Orlovsky, ESPN NFL Analyst 

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

 

Apr 10, 2021

Nick Graham is regarded as one of the top basketball player development specialists in the country. He grew up around college basketball and credited his dad, Paul's tenure as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State for developing him as a basketball teacher.

Nick would go on to play Division one college basketball at Washington State and now as a coach, has contributed to the development of thousands of players worldwide most notably, Jimmer Fredette, Trae Young, among other NBA and Division one college players.

Nick is also the author of "God x Basketball," a devotional aimed at character development. You can learn more about Nick by checking his website GodxBasketball.com.

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Nick, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

- Jimmy Dykes, ESPN College Basketball Analyst

- King McClure – ESPN Analyst, Former Baylor Basketball Player

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com

Apr 9, 2021

Mike McCartney is the Director of Football Operations for Priority Sports. For the past 25 years, he has been involved in college and pro football as a scout, coach and personal executive for more than 25 years. 

In his current role, Mike was one of the first top-level front-office executives in the NFL to leave the league, during the salary cap era, for a major football representation firm. 

On today's podcast, we talk to Mike about the importance of having great relationships with his players, his journey from the front office personnel executive to becoming a player agent and how he stays connected to the Lord in a tough environment as an agent. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Mike, you'll love these conversations as well:

- Kelli Masters - NFL Player Agent

Molly McManimie - NFL Player Agent

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For more stories on sports and faith, visit our website: SportsSpectrum.com 

Apr 7, 2021

Brenda Schultz-McCarthy is a former professional tennis player, who made her pro debut in September 1986 at the age of 15. In her 20 year pro career, Brenda had sixteen WTA titles including wins over Venus Williams, Lindsay Davenport and Monica Seles. She is known for her fast serve and in July of 2006, claimed her place as the fastest server in WTA history, recording a 130 mph serve in the first round of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open qualifying tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Her career saw her reach the Finals of the French Open in 1988 and the US Open in 1995 in the Grand Slam Doubles competition. Her highest ranking was No. 9 overall in May of 1996. 

Brenda's currently involved with her non-profit TedsFoundation, who's mission is to teach people how to holistically approach their health and way of living.

Today on the podcast, we talk to Brenda about growing up in Holland, her journey as a professional tennis player, the major health scare she had in 2011 giving birth to her son Damian and the role faith in the Lord plays in her life.

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If you enjoyed this conversation with Brenda, we know you'll love these podcast as well:

- Mary Pierce - Former French Open Tennis Champion

- Chris Young - Oklahoma State Women’s Tennis Coach

For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com

Apr 5, 2021

Mo Isom Aiken is the New York Times bestselling author of three books including "Wreck My Life" and "Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot."

During her college years at LSU, Mo was an All-American soccer goalie with the Lady Tigers team and holds the LSU all-time school record in women's soccer with 35 victories and 25 shutouts. During his college years, Mo also suffered tragedy as her father committed suicide in January of 2009, and in that same year, she was involved in a car accident that nearly took her life. 

Today, Mo is married to Jeremiah, has three children with a fourth on the way, and is a sought after speaker. She also works with BOLDLIFE INITIATIVE, a ministry that exists to challenge, encourage, and equip Christ followers to pursue holy and bold lives. 

Today on the podcast, Mo returns to the show to share about her new book "Fully Known," what it means to have true intimacy with God, what the last year has been like for her family, parenting young kids to pursue sports in a healthy way and the difference between working in ministry and having an intimate relationship with Christ. 

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If you enjoyed this conversation with Mo, we know you'll love these podcasts as well:

– Mo Isom (2017 interview)

Kristen Ledlow – NBA Host/Reporter

Apr 3, 2021

Matt Doherty is a former North Carolina college basketball player and head coach. He was a member of the 1982 Tar Heels national championship team that featured future Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and James Worthy and future NBA superstar Sam Perkins.

After his playing career, Matt went into coaching and was the head basketball coach at Notre Dame, North Carolina, FAU and SMU. In his first year as head coach with his alma mater, he was the 2001 AP Coach of the Year. 

On the podcast today, we talk to Matt about his Final Four memories, winning a national championship, playing with Michael Jordan, his favorite MJ stories, how his faith guides him as a leader and the lessons he learned from his former coach Dean Smith. 

Matt's new book: REBOUND: FROM PAIN TO PASSION - LEADERSHIP LESSONS LEARNED is available everywhere books are found.

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Become a subscriber of the Sports Spectrum magazine. You can get 15% off an entire year subscription right now by ordering at SportsSpectrum.com --- Use the code: SS15OFF at checkout.

Apr 2, 2021

Jon Acuff is a speaker, entrepreneur, podcast host and New York Times best selling author. His books "DO OVER" and "START" were New York Times bestsellers and Jon is an Inc. Magazine Top 100 Leadership Speaker.

His latest book, "SOUNDTRACKS: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking" releases April 6, 2021. 

Today on the podcast, we talk to Jon about his new book, why he on the topic of overthinking, his Michael Jordan celebrity encounter during Jon's childhood and why hockey players are the best athletes. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Jon Acuff, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Jon Gordon - The Power of Positive Leadership

Bill Curry – Super Bowl Champion, Former College Football Coach

For more stories of sports and faith, check us out at SportsSpectrum.com

 

Mar 31, 2021

Jamey Chadwell is the head coach of the Coastal Carolina football team. In 2020, he led his club to an 11-1 record (8-0 in the Sun Belt Conference) and a berth in the 2020 CURE Bowl. This past season saw Coach Chadwell win multiple coaching awards including the Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year, the Walter Camp College Coach of the Year, and the Home Depot Coach of the Year. 

Chadwell was previously the head coach at Charleston Southern, where he led them to the FCS Playoff Quarterfinals in 2015 and another playoff berth in 2016. Other stops included Delta State, North Greenville University and East Tennessee State. 

Today on the podcast, we talk to Coach Chadwell about the 2020 season, how he would define success, his testimony of faith and his desire to see his players come to know who Jesus Christ is. 

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Coach Chadwell, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Mark Richt - Former College Football Coach

Jeff Scott - South Florida Head Football Coach

For more stories on sports and faith, visit our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Mar 29, 2021

Jason Brown is a former NFL offensive lineman. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens after playing his college football at North Carolina. He played four seasons with the Ravens from 2005-2008, and then signed a $37.5 million contract with the Rams in 2009. At the time, he was the highest-paid center in the NFL.

In 2011, Brown chose to walk away from the NFL and millions of dollars to follow God's call on his life to become a farmer in North Carolina. Today, he, his wife and eight children help lead, own and manage First Fruits Farm. In February 2021, Jason released his first book, "Centered: Trading Your Plans for a Life That Matters."

On the podcast today, Brown shares his incredible story of football, faith, family and farming. He details the story of losing his brother in college, finding his identity in the NFL, and following the call that God placed on his life to walk away from a lucrative NFL career and pursue a life of farming.

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If you enjoyed this podcast with Jason Brown, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Ryan Young - Former NFL Offensive Lineman 

Bill Curry - Super Bowl Champion, Former College Football Coach

For more stories of sports and faith, check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com 

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