Stay ConnectedSports Spectrum brings you stories and conversations at the intersection of sports and Jesus.
On Tuesday, former Chicago Bears pro bowl running back Matt Forte hosts TUEDAY MORNING RB.
On Friday, we feature a guest from the world of sports to share their Jesus story.
Copyright: © Sports Spectrum
Annie F. Downs is a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and successful podcast host based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Annie is the host of the popular "That Sounds Fun" podcast and has written multiple bestselling books including: 100 Days to Brave and Remember God. Her latest book, "That Sounds Fun" releases February 2, 2021.
On today's episode, we talk to Annie about her new book, the most nervous she's ever been for an interview, her love for Georgia Football, her friendship with former Titans linebacker Tim Shaw and the importance of discernment and saying no when necessary.
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If you enjoyed this episode with Annie, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are NFC champions and preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on February 7.
Tampa's punter Bradley Pinion joins us on the podcast today to talk about beating the Packers to go to the Super Bowl, the peace he's felt from the Lord all season, preparing for the biggest game of his life, and how he stayed connected to God during this season.
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If you liked this episode with Bradley, you'll love these conversations as well:
Ben Higgins is best known from season 20 of ABC's his series, "The Bachelor." The show led to an enhanced social media platform that he now uses to share what he is most passionate about with others -- his faith, his hope for humanity, and his love of sports.
In 2017 Ben co-founded Generous International, a for-purpose company dedicated to contributing profits to social issues around the world. In February 2021, Higgins released his first book "Alone in Plain Sight: Searching for Connection When You're Seen but not Known."
On today's podcast, we talk to Ben Higgins about growing up in Indiana and his love for basketball, his favorite sports memory at IU with the Hoosiers, releasing his first book, how he handled fame and celebrity, and the importance of staying grounded in his faith.
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If you enjoyed this episode with Ben, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
Episode 20 - Louie Giglio (Pastor/Author)
Episode 480 - Tom Allen (Indiana Head Football Coach)
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Today on the podcast, we talk to former NFL running back Warrick Dunn about playing for Tony Dungy and Bobby Bowden, how coach Bowden helped Warrick cope with the death of his mother, his battle with mental illness and how his faith helps fuel him to give back and establish his HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS program.
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If you enjoyed this episode with Warrick, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
Dr. Armando Gonzalez is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Known as "Dr. Mondo," he is also a speaker and founder of Cheat Code, a service that provides concierge mental wellness coaching to current MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS and Team USA Olympic athletes.
Cheat Code was created to rewrite the narrative around mental health and end the stigma about receiving support and providing access to strategic, effective, mental health services to at risk and underserved communities.
On today's podcast, we talk to Dr. Mondo about mental health, the need for athletes to take care of themselves spiritually and mentally and not just physically, how his faith guides him in his work, and the importance of finding your identity in Jesus Christ.
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If you enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Mondo, you'll love these previous podcast episodes:
Darlene Santore - Life Coach/Motivational Speaker
Inky Johnson, former Tennessee defensive back, motivational speaker
Jerheme Urban is the current head football coach at his alma mater, Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Urban played nine seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with the Seahawks, Cardinals and Chiefs and was a member of the 2008 NFC Championship Arizona team that played in Super Bowl XLIII against Pittsburgh.
During his time in college at Division III Trinity, Urban set school records for touchdowns and kickoff return yards and led the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns his senior year. In 2019, he was inducted into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame.
He was named the head coach at Trinity in November 2013 and has a 38-22 career record in his six seasons.
On today's podcast, we talk to Jerheme about his journey from Division III football player to the NFL, the impact teammates like Matt Hasselbeck, Trent Dilfer and Kurt Warner had on his faith, finding joy in a 2020 that saw his football season postponed, and his experience playing in Super Bowl XLIII with Arizona.
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If you enjoyed this episode with Vernon, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
Dave Pasch - ESPN Play by Play Announcer
Rapper Andy Mineo and Super Bowl Champion Trey Burton
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Olivia Ancil is a former tennis player at Cedarville University in Ohio. She graduated from Cedarville's School of Nursing in 2019. She was serving as a float nurse at Holland Hospital in Holland, Michigan.
On May 28, 2020, Olivia and her boyfriend Alex Arent were struck by a speeding vehicle going over 70 mph in a 35 mph lane while they were on a walk.
Olivia sustained numerous injuries including a traumatic brain injury, bone fractures, crania nerve III palsy affecting eye movement and vision and a lung contusion. She's fortunate to be alive.
Today on this special episode of the podcast, Olivia shares the details of the accident that almost killed her, the grueling recovery and rehab and how her faith in Jesus has carried her through.
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If you enjoyed this episode with Olivia, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
Patrick Estepp - Cedarville Men's Basketball Coach
The Incredible Story of Katie Lentz
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Amy Lawrence is the host of “After Hours with Amy Lawrence” on the CBS Sports Radio Network. The show can be heard weekdays from 2:00-6:00 AM, ET.
Amy is a pioneer in sports radio, and one of the only females hosting a daily talk show on a national radio network.
Prior to joining CBS in January 2013, Lawrence spent nine years at ESPN Radio where she was the only regular female host. Local radio stops include Providence, RI; Lebanon, NH; Rochester, NY; and Oklahoma City, OK, where she was the first female in state history to pilot her own sports radio talk show.
She graduated from Messiah College with bachelor’s degrees in Communications & Accounting, before earning her master’s degree in TV & Radio from Syracuse University. Lawrence was recently honored as one of The 100 Most Important Sports Talk Radio Hosts in America by Talkers Magazine for 2015, and was the only female personality to make the list.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Amy about the difficulties of 2020, broadcasting in a pandemic, growing in her faith and what God has shown her during quarantine.
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If you enjoyed this episode with Amy, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
Amy Lawrence Podcast Conversation from 2017
Dave Pasch - ESPN Play by Play Announcer
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Ted Barrett has been a Major League Baseball umpire since 1994. He became a full-time MLB umpire in 1999 and is the only umpire to ever be behind the plate for TWO perfect games. (David Cone in 1999 and Matt Cain in 2012)
He has umpired in four World Series including the Red Sox Championship in 2007 and 2018, the Cardinals title in 2011 and the Giants beating the Royals to win it all in 2014.
He is the co-founder of CALLING FOR CHRIST, a ministry serving professional baseball umpires and earned his Doctorate in theology from Trinity in 2013.
On this episode of the podcast, Ted takes us into life as an MLB umpire during the 2020 shortened pandemic season. He also shares what it was like to umpire for 18 innings behind the plate in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, umpiring the 2018 All-Star Game, the dissertation he wrote in 2013 on faith and umpiring and the rhythms he abides by as a follower of Christ.
You can learn more about Ted’s ministry by going to callingforchrist.com.
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If you enjoyed this episode with Ted, we know you'll love these conversations as well:
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and NBC Sports Analyst Tony Dungy joins Brock Huard to talk football faith, Super Bowl memories and his role as a co-host for Football Sunday 2021.
You can watch the entire Sports Spectrum Football Special with Tony Dungy, Brock Huard and Nate Solder: https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2021/01/05/watch-sports-spectrum-football-special-3/
You can learn more about joining Compassion and Pro Athletes in releasing children from poverty: http://FilltheStadium.com
You can order Football Sunday 2021 for your church by visiting http://FootballSunday.com
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