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
Episode 561
Lauren Sisler is a sideline reporter covering college football for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 after being named Best Sports Anchor by the Alabama Associated Press in 2014 and 2015. The former Rutgers gymnast also covers SEC football for AL.com in Alabama.
In 2003, while a freshman on a gymnastics scholarship at Rutgers, Sisler unexpectedly lost both of her parents, George and Lesley Sisler, to prescription drug overdoses within hours of each other. Today, Lauren is dedicated to spreading awareness about the dangers of addiction and the devastation it can cause for the addict, their loved ones and the community. She currently serves as a board member for the Addiction Prevention Coalition in Birmingham, Alabama and is on the Speakers Bureau for the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition.
On today's podcast, we talk to Lauren Sisler about being a sideline reporter during the pandemic, getting married and being baptized in 2020, the powerful story of losing her parents to addiction and how she came to the realization that her story could help and encourage others.
Follow Lauren on Twitter: @LaurenSisler
For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 560
Andre Levrone Jr is a former high school, college and pro football player. He was a standout wide receiver in high school, helping Our Lady of Good Counsel High School win four straight Maryland state championships.
In college, he attended University of Virginia where he would play in 22 games, catching 46 passes for 864 yards and 8 touchdowns.
After finishing his college career, Andre would go undrafted in the NFL but sign a contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He would spend parts of three seasons with Baltimore, Carolina and Jacksonville before retiring at the age of 25 in 2020.
On today's podcast, we talk to Andre about walking away from the NFL dream before the dream could happen, why it's important for him to read God's word out of adoration and not obligation and how his faith in Christ was tested multiple times after suffering injuries in high school and college.
Follow Andre on Instagram: @DreistheWay
For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
Steve Skipper is one of the most prolific artists in the realms of sports, civil-rights, equestrian, portraiture and Christian artwork. He has shattered barriers of race and education in the art world. He's the first African American to complete artwork sanctioned by NASCAR, the University of Alabama, PGS and PBR. His work is hanging on permanent display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library.
The upcoming documentary "COLORS OF CHARACTER: An Artist's Journey to Redemption" shares the extraordinary journey of Steve Skipper. You can learn more by visiting http://ColorsofCharacterMovie.com.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Steve and hear his incredible story of growing up in the 1960's as a gang member and drug addict, and how his faith in Jesus Christ led him to a new life as a prolific artist.
For more stories of sports and faith, check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com.
Episode 559
Levi Lusko is the lead pastor of Fresh Life Church, a multisite church located in Montana, Utah, Oregon, and Wyoming that he and his wife Jennie pioneered in 2007.
He is the author of the bestselling books “Through the Eyes of a Lion” and “Swipe Right.” His latest publication is a devotional rebased in August 2020 titled: "Take Back Your Life: A 40-Day Interactive Journey to Thinking Right So You Can Live Right."
Levi travels around the world speaking about Jesus and he and Jennie also host the "Hey! It's the Luskos" podcast.
In this episode of the podcast, Lusko talks about his new devotional, why “thinking right” is so important to living right, the injury he suffered on the Fourth of July, how pastors and football coaches are very similar, and why leadership is more than a lifestyle or title.
Follow Levi on Instagram: @LeviLusko
For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 558
Phil Murphy is a SportsCenter anchor at ESPN and ESPN International.
He has anchored more than 500 SportsCenters for ESPN International and covered four Super Bowls. Phil has also hosted college football and basketball studio shows and reported from countless UFC events, two NBA All-Star Games and the 2019 World Series.
On today's podcast, we talk to Phil about broadcasting to audiences on the other side of the world, how he worked his way up to his current role, his awesome story of faith and trusting in God when the storms come.
Follow Phil on Instagram: @Phil_Sports
For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
Ernie Johnson is a broadcasting legend. He is the host of TNT’s Inside the NBA and a 3-time Sports Emmy Award Winner. He joined Turner Sports in 1989 and for over 30 years, has been considered one of the best in the business at what he does.
His new book titled “Unscripted: The Unpredictable Moments That Make Life Extraordinary” is available now.
Today on the podcast, Ernie shares his very personal story of coming to the Christian faith, raising a special needs son, what a typical day is like working on Inside the NBA, and what it meant to speak out on the TNT set the night after the election of President Donald Trump in 2016.
This interview originally aired on May 5, 2017. You can listen to the entire conversation right here.
Episode 557
Tom Ryan is the Ohio State wrestling coach. He is a two-time NCAA Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2015 and led the Buckeyes wrestling program to a 2015 NCAA National Championship.
The three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year has coached six different Ohio State wrestlers to 12 individual national titles including four-time champion Logan Stieber and Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder.
His teams have finished as NCAA runner-up in 2008, 2009, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
On this episode of the podcast, Tom shares his powerful and courageous story of losing his 5 year-old son Teague, finding the good among tragedy and how a crisis of faith brought him to fully trust in Jesus.
Follow Tom on Twitter: @Buckeye158
For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website: http://SportsSpectrum.com
Harris III is a magician and illusionist and author of the new book "The Wonder Switch: The Difference Between Limiting Your Life and Living Your Dream."
Harris has performed his unique brand of magic and storytelling for more than two million people on five continents. His performances have been televised to millions more on the Travel Channel and ABC Family.
On today's podcast, we talk to Harris about his new book, his love for baseball as a kid, how to find wonder in our lives and his favorite trick he's performed.
Follow Harris on Instagram: @HarrisIII
For more stories on sports and faith, check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 556
Edward Graham is the grandson of legendary evangelist Billy Graham and currently serves as the Assistant to the Vice President of Programs and Government Relations for Samaritan's Purse.
Prior to his work with Samaritan's Purse, Edward served for 16 years in the United States Army through multiple combat deployments within Special Operations and various leadership positions. In college, Edward played soccer at Liberty University and also wrestled for the Army during his time at the U.S. Military Academy.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Edward about his work with Samaritan's Purse, the work being done with "Operation Christmas Child," growing up as Billy Graham's grandson, and his experience serving in the U.S. Army.
You can get involved and learn more about Operation Christmas Child by clicking here.
For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website http://SportsSpectrum.com
For more on Operation Christmas Child, check out their website https://www.samaritanspurse.org
Episode 555
Molly McManimie is the Vice President of Client Services with Caric Sports. As an NFL player agent, she represents clients and negotiates contracts with NFL teams.
An Arizona native, Molly got her Law Degree from Chapman University and has spent the past three years working with Caric Sports and president Steve Caric in Las Vegas as one of the few female NFL agents.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Molly about being an agent on NFL cut weekend before the season begins, the difficulty of being a female player agent, why the right yes is worth waiting for, getting baptized in 2019 as an adult and the importance for her to not get caught up in her ego and keep God at the center of her life.
Follow Molly on Instagram: @MollyMack
For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website http://sportsspectrum.com
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