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 554
Phil Robertson is the founder of Duck Commander, a professional hunter, and New York Times Bestselling Author. He and his family were portrayed on the successful A&E reality show "Duck Dynasty" which ran from 2012-2017.
As a high-school athlete, Phil earned All-State rankings in football, baseball, and track, which afforded him the opportunity to attend Louisiana Tech University on a football scholarship. There, Phil played first-string quarterback – ahead of Terry Bradshaw, who later went on to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl championships.
After spending several years teaching in Louisiana schools, Phi formed the Duck Commander Company in 1973 and today remains a family business, with all 4 sons and their wives either presently working or previously having worked for the company at one time or another.
After the success of "Duck Dynasty" on A&E, Phil moved to the book world and his first book "Happy, Happy, Happy" was a New York Times Bestseller. His latest book "Jesus Politics" released August 4, 2020.
Phil also is the co-host of the very successful Unashamed with his sons Jase and Al. He has five children, eighteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
On today's episode of the podcast, we talk to Phil about being an author, playing quarterback with Terry Bradshaw, starting Duck Commander, living a life that points people to Jesus and the one meal that Phil can't live without.
Follow us on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Read this Sports Spectrum story on Duck Dynasty and Phil Robertson from 2013.
Ashton Washington is the Director of Football Operations for the University of Illinois. She's the first ever African American female staff member in the history of the Illini football program under head coach Lovie Smith.
On the podcast today, Ashton shares about her pioneering role with the University of Illinois, why she has a passion for the game of football, why getting baptized in Mississippi changed her life, working with Love Smith, and her desire to open more doors and break down barriers for women in football.
Follow Ashton on Twitter: @Ash3Washington
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 554
Christian Yeager grew up in the North Shore of O'ahu, Hawaii, and his world revolved around the ocean and surfing. Surfing before school, after school, and sometimes during school if the waves were perfect. He joined his school's surf team and competed every weekend in the National Scholastic Surfing Association competitions around the island.
In his wild and crazy life, Yeager has taught kindergarten orphans in Mexico, produced feature films and documentaries in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and spent time modeling in San Diego.
In 2014, he got married and moved to Sydney, Australia, to attend Hillsong College. Three years later, he and his wife, Heather, moved to Southeast Asia to intern with A21, an anti-human trafficking organization. His time with A21 took him to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
After returning to the United States and becoming a father, Yeager developed a show called "This Cosmic Planet," which he's currently hosting on Yippee TV.
On this episode of the podcast, Yeager shares about his life as a surfer, his close call with a tiger shark, the story of his friend Diego leading him to Christ, and why he's passionate about creating content for kids on Yippee TV.
Follow Christian on Instagram: @ChristianYeager
Episode 553
Kent Chevalier is the team chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Athletes in Action. He was named to his role before the 2019 season.
Prior to his role with the Steelers, Kent has been a pastor for 22 years in the Pittsburgh area.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kent about his role with the Steelers, the improbable story to how he got the title of team chaplain for the team he grew up rooting for, what it means to "fail wonderfully," and the Nicodemus moments he's had with the Pittsburgh players.
Follow Kent on Twitter: @KentChevalier
You can sow into the ministry of Kent by checking out his website: TeamChevalier.com
Episode 552
Donnie Jones is the Stetson Men's Basketball Coach. He was named to his current role in March of 2019. Last season, Donnie led Stetson to 16 victories, a 9-win improvement over the previous season and the most in the country for a first-year head coach.
Prior to his current role, Donnie has had head coaching stops at Marshall and Central Florida, and was an assistant coach for 11 seasons with Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators, where he helped lead the club to back-to-back National Championships in 2006 and 2007.
On today's podcast, we talked to Donnie about coaching Michael Jordan's sons, developing a culture, coaching in a pandemic and why he's using social media to inspire and encourage.
Follow Donnie on Twitter: @DonnieJones
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Mike Metcalf is a NASCAR pit-crew coach and is presently one of the head coaches for the Chip Ganassi Racing pit crew and fuel man for the No. 42 team.
The Charlotte native and former football student-athlete graduated with honors from Appalachian State University. He first entered the world of motorsports in 2006 as a member of a NASCAR Pit Crew. Mike quickly climbed the ranks and started coaching pit crews in addition to competing in 2012.
Outside of motorsports, Mike is very active in the community. He serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Rescue Mission. His new book "12 Second Culture" released in 2020 and is available now.
On today's podcast, Mike Metcalf shares how a former college football player becomes a NASCAR pit-crew coach, why he's passionate about leadership, his favorite NASCAR story and the importance of being an example of Jesus to those who are suffering injustices.
Follow Mike on Instagram: @MrMetcalfJr
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 551
Brian Dawkins is a 9-time Pro Bowl safety with the Eagles and Broncos. He played 13 seasons with Philadelphia from 1996-2008 and three seasons with Denver from 2009-2011.
In 2018, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His foundation "The Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation" provides inspiration, education and resources to youth, families and communities in need.
On this episode of the podcast, Brian joins us to share his powerful testimony of faith, his struggle with depression and suicide, the impact his grandmother made on his life, and the importance of mental health awareness.
Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianDawkins
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 550
Cori Close is the head coach for the UCLA Women's Basketball team. In her nine seasons, she has led the Lady Bruins to three Sweet Sixteens and one Elite Eight appearance. In 2019-2020, UCLA went 25-4 before their season was cut short due to Covid-19.
Prior to her coaching career, Close was a player at UC Santa Barbara (89-93) and was the first player in school history to record more than 1,000 points and 500 assists in a career. In April 2005, Close was inducted into the UC Santa Barbara Athletics Hall of Fame.
On today's podcast, we talk to Cori Close about being a good truth teller, being a fruit bearer, why she decided to do a Proverbs Challenge, her growth as a leader and how her faith guides her as a head coach.
Follow Coach Close on Instagram: @CoachCoriClose
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 549
Mark Herzlich played seven seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants. He was a member of the 2011 team that won Super Bowl XLVI over the Patriots.
Undrafted in 2011 out of Boston College, Mark was the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and named First-Team All-Amercian at linebacker that same season. In 2009, he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He was able to overcome and return to the football field in 2010, where he won the Rudy Award and the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award after starting 13 games and finishing third on the team in tackles.
Mark retired following the 2017 season and is currently a football analyst with the ACC Network.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Mark Herzlich about his incredible story of overcoming cancer, how his faith became real to him in the midst of the cancer diagnosis, and the important role his wife Danielle played in his walk with Christ.
Follow Mark on Instagram: @MarkHerzlich
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
***This interview was recorded on September 15, 2020***
Jack Easterby is the Houston Texans Executive Vice President and manages all football operations and directs the overall culture of the team.
Prior to arriving in Houston, Jack was a part of three Super Bowl winning championship teams as a character coach and team chaplain with the New England Patriots.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Jack Easterby about his role with the Texans, what discipleship looks like and why it is important to do the next - right - thing.
Follow Jack on Twitter: @JackEasterby
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
