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 519
Art Warren is a pitcher with the Seattle Mariners. He was selected in the 23rd round of the 2015 MLB Draft by Seattle after playing his college ball at the University of Cincinnati and Ashland University.
His pro baseball career began in 2015 but a year earlier, he had Tommy John surgery and was told he may never be able to pitch again.
After five years of minor league baseball that saw him go through cities like Bakersfield, Modesto, Peoria and Little Rock, Warren would make his MLB debut on September 12, 2019 against the Cincinnati Reds. In September, he pitched six games total and allowed zero runs, 2 hits, 2 walks and struck out five in 5.1 innings. He also notched his first MLB win on September 27, 2019 against Oakland.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Art about his journey of baseball and faith. Art walks us through how he’s staying ready during the pandemic, the awesome story of making his MLB debut last September, how switching a walk-out song helped him find purpose and why he believes he’s pitching on borrowed time.
Follow Art on Twitter: @Arthur_Warren
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 518
Andy Erwin is a filmmaker and storyteller and is half of the filmmaking duo The Erwin Brothers with his brother Jon. Erwin began his career as a teenager working for ESPN as a camera operator in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. As a sports cameraman, Erwin worked with ESPN College Football Primetime, FOX NFL, and the NBA covering events such as the X Games and the Super Bowl.
In 2002, Andy founded a production company with his brother Jon. After working on commercials and music videos, the brothers turned to developing feature films and have created features such as OCTOBER BABY, MOM'S NIGHT OUT, WOODLAWN and the 2018 smash hit I CAN ONLY IMAGINE.
In 2020, the Erwin Brothers released the film I STILL BELIEVE on March 13, the same weekend that the global pandemic was declared.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Andy about his journey to filmmaking, how ESPN and a desire to work in sports helped jumpstart his career, why he wanted to make films of faith, and what the Lord has taught him during this pandemic.
Follow Andy on Instagram: @ErwinbroAndy
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
BONUS EPISODE
Josh Lindblom is a pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was selected in the 2nd round of the 2008 MLB Drafty by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League debut on June 1, 2011 against Colorado.
After stints in Philadelphia, Texas and Oakland, he would take his professional baseball talents to Korea and the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization). In 2018, he went 15-4 with a 2.88 ERA and in 2019, he went 20-3 with a 2.50 ERA and would be named the KBO Most Valuable Player for 2019.
On today's episode, we talk to Josh about staying prepared during a pandemic, how his faith has remained constant during the quarantine, questioning God's plan when his daughter was born and how his perspective on baseball has changed and evolved over the past three years.
Follow Josh on Twitter - https://twitter.com/JoshLindblom52
Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Sports_Spectrum
Episode 517
Steve Carter is a pastor and speaker and co-hosts the "Home Team" podcast with ESPN personality Samantha Ponder and NFL player Sam Acho.
Steve has been a pastor for many years and in 2016, released his first book "This Invitational Life: Risking Yourself to Align with God’s Heartbeat for Humanity."
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Steve about his love affair with Michigan football, the NBA, Michael Jordan and when we'll see sports again. Steve also shares how his faith took shape, what he learned going through dark moments in his life, growing up without a dad, standing up for what is right, and the importance of leading with humility and integrity.
Follow Steve on Instagram: @SteveRyanCarter
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 516
Andre' Davis played nine seasons in the NFL from 2002-2010. He was selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He would spend three seasons in Cleveland, one in New England, one in Buffalo and then four seasons in Houston until retiring after the 2010 season.
He played his college football at Virginia Tech, where he teamed with Michael Vick to form a dangerous QB/WR tandem that helped the Hokies to a 22-2 record including a trip to the National Championship game in the two seasons Vick and Davis played together.
When he came to the NFL, Davis made his mark as a kick returner and brought back 3 kickoffs for touchdowns in 2007 with Houston.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Andre' about his journey from Virginia Tech to the NFL, the overseas trip to Rwanda that he was on with his wife as the Global Pandemic was beginning, playing with Michael Vick in college, and the physical and mental struggles he's worked through since retirement.
Follow Andre' on Instagram: @1AndreDavis
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 515
Maurice "Moe" Williams is currently the team chaplain of the Jacksonville Jaguars. His time in Jacksonville began in 2001 when he was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Jaguars. He would go to play nine seasons in Jacksonville, starting 100 of a career 105 games.
In high school, Williams was a USA Today High School All-American in 1996 and played his college football at Michigan where he helped the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997.
After returning in 2010, Moe felt called to ministry and is now ministering to the Jaguars players and staff as their team chaplain through Athletes in Action.
On this episode of the podcast we talk to Moe Williams about the unique challenges presented to him in his current role during these uncertain times, how he went from being a player to a chaplain with the same team, his work with Athletes in Action and how he's found victory beyond the competition and the pain and injuries he's felt on his journey as an NFL offensive lineman.
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 514
Matthew Driscoll is in his 10th season as the head basketball coach at North Florida. The 3-time Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year has seen a ton of success for his program since arriving in 2009 including three Atlantic Sun regular season championships, and led his club to their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2015.
In 2019-2020, North Florida was 21-12 including a 13-3 record in the A-Sun and had a great opportunity to go to the Big Dance before the postseason was cancelled due to Covid-19. For his efforts, Driscoll was named the 2020 Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year.
Prior to North Florida, Driscoll had coaching stops as an assistant at Wyoming, Clemson and Baylor.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Mathew Driscoll about the lessons he's learned in seeing his 2019-2020 season come to an abrupt end due to the pandemic. We also hear how he came to Christ and how that journey of faith shapes him and molds him each day as a coach and as a man.
Follow Coach Driscoll on Twitter: @UNFBBALL
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
BONUS EPISODE
Keith Smith is a fullback with the Atlanta Falcons. 2020 will be his 7th NFL season. He was originally undrafted in 2014 after playing his college ball at San Jose State.
The Dallas Cowboys signed Keith in 2014 and he was converted from linebacker to fullback. In 2016, he helped Ezekiel Elliott win the NFL rushing title and contributed to a Cowboys team that tied a team record with 13 regular season wins.
After his stint with the Cowboys ended in 2017, he came to the Raiders for one season in 2018 and then signed with Atlanta. In 2020, he signed a 3-year contract extension to remain with the Falcons.
Follow Keith Smith on Instagram: @beef31
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 513
Patrick Fraher has been an NBA referee since 2001. He has officiated over 1,100 regular season games and over 50 playoff games in his 19 NBA seasons. In 2015, he officiated the NBA All-Star Game in New York City.
Prior to joining the NBA, Fraher officiated for seven years in the CBA where he worked the Finals and All-Star Game and also spent four years in the WNBA.
He attended the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded the Evans Scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Patrick about being scheduled to referee the Utah vs Oklahoma City game in March that was suspended and led to the postponement of the NBA season. We also hear how he became an NBA referee, his favorite Michael Jordan story, and his incredible story of coming to faith in Christ at age 43.
For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
Follow us on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
BONUS EPISODE
John O'Leary is a walking miracle. In 1987, John O’Leary was a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He was also a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body.
He was given a 1% chance to live.
And live he did.
With the help of a St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame broadcaster, and his love for baseball, John was able to survive and even more than that thrive in life.
John is now a motivational speaker and author, sharing his incredible story. His new book, “ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life” was an instant #1 National Bestseller selling 30,000 copies in the first 3 weeks. In May of 2020, John released his second book "In Awe: Rediscovering Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning and Joy."
On today's podcast, we talk to John about his new book, why that childlike wonder is something we all should look to rediscover, his love for baseball and how he's found joy amidst the global pandemic.
Follow John on Instagram: @JohnOLeary.Inspires
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
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