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 417
Jason Hanson played 21 seasons in the NFL, all with the Detroit Lions from 1992-2012. He was selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft by Detroit (56th overall) out of Washington State and would go on to be one of the greatest kickers in NFL history.
He was a 2-time Pro Bowl selection and currently ranks fourth on the NFL's All-Time points scored career list with 2,150. He holds multiple NFL records including most field goals of 40 or more years, most consecutive field goals of 40 or more yards and most career games with one NFL team (327).
Hanson was inducted into the Detroit Lions Ring of Honor in the Fall of 2013 at Ford Field following his retirement from the NFL in April of 2013.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jason about the memory of his first NFL kick, how his faith in Christ was shaped, the hope and encouragement he has for Lions fans, bringing his faith to the NFL and the spiritual mentors that helped shape him as a player and a man.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 416
Charlie Ernst is the men’s basketball head coach at Findlay University in Ohio. He is a two-time GMAC Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2019.
Since becoming head coach on March 30, 2011, Ernst has led his program to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances, six NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances, two Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) titles.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Charlie about the different hats he wears as coach at the NCAA Division II level, why he chose the coaching profession, how his faith has taken shape more recently and the awesome story of Charlie and his wife adopting a young boy in Africa just a few months ago.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Today we listen to a portion of our inspiring interview with former Tennessee Volunteers football player Inky Johnson.
With a dream of playing in the NFL, Johnson rose from a life of poverty and drugs in the ghetto of Atlanta to play college football with the Volunteers. In 2006, his dream was shattered when he suffered a life-altering injury on the football field that would take him from starting defensive back to sitting in a hospital wondering if his life would ever be the same.
Today, Johnson travels the country sharing his story and encouraging others as a motivational speaker. He’s a mentor to many athletes and teams both in college and professional sports.
On this Throwback edition of the podcast, we turn it back to May of 2018, Episode 112 with Inky sharing his story of faith and how an accident on the football field changed his life forever.
You can listen to the entire interview with Inky from May of 2018 here.
Episode 415
Harvey Pendleton is one of three chaplains for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He came to the Spurs in 1996 and has served as a chaplain, ministering to players and coaches before select NBA games.
He was a former platoon leader in the 173rd Army Brigade in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal along with other awards for his service in the United States military.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Harvey about his amazing journey from serving in the military and Vietnam to serving Jesus in the world of the NBA
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 414
Chris Marlow is the founder of "Help One Now." Last year, Help One Now partnered with Big League Impact and MLB players to build a secondary school in Haiti. MLB players Kyle Gibson, Zach Duke, Brian Dozier and Logan Morrison partnered with BLI to invite fans and supporters to work together to make the school become a reality.
Marlow started "Help One Now" after meeting a starving young orphan at an abandoned gas station in Zimbabwe. At that moment, he was compelled to dedicate his life to seeking justice by empowering high-capacity local leaders to care for orphans and vulnerable children, and to help them see their communities transform. His passion is organizing tribes of everyday people—people like you!—to partner with global movements that do good.
In 2016, Chris wrote the book "Doing Good is Simple."
On this episode of the podcast, Chris shares the incredible story of starting "Help One Now," his love for sports at a young age, his broken relationship with his father and how God has helped him overcome fears to move past regret.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 413
Ryan Clark played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Giants, Redskins and Steelers from 2002-2014. After going undrafted out of LSU, Ryan was signed by the New York Giants and played there from 2002-2003. In 2004, he signed with the Redskins and played two seasons there before settling in with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would play 8 seasons from 2006-2013.
Ryan's success saw him play in two Super Bowls with the Steelers, winning Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals. In 2011 at the age of 32, Ryan made his first Pro Bowl and four years later, would announce his retirement from the NFL in February of 2015.
He signed on to be an NFL analyst with ESPN in 2015 and continues in that role today on shows such as Get Up, NFL LIVE, First Take and SportsCenter.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Ryan Clark about turning 40 years old, his journey to broadcasting, the evolution of social media, being told he couldn't play in the NFL, and how his faith grew during a health scare in Denver.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 412
Sam Acho is currently a linebacker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals after playing his college football at the University of Texas.
He spent four seasons with Arizona before signing with the Bears in 2015. He would play four seasons with the Bears and after a brief stint with Buffalo, he signed in November with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Sam about his new role with the Buccaneers, finding his value in Christ and not football, getting to know Jesus intimately, writing his first book and how the wisdom of a dying friend changed his life.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Today we bring you a conversation with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Kirk signed the richest contract in NFL history with the Vikings in March of 2018.
Originally drafted by the Redskins, Kirk's final 3 years in Washington saw him pass for over 4,000 yards and was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2016.
On this throwback edition of the podcast, we listen to our conversation with Kirk from April of 2018 as he shares about his faith journey and how he makes Christ, not the NFL, the most important thing in his life.
You can listen to the entire interview from our conversation with Kirk on Episode 96 HERE or by searching his name in the Sports Spectrum podcast archives.
Episode 411
Jake Sullivan played college basketball at Iowa State from 2000-2004. Starting 115 of the 123 games he played in college, Jake finished his career as the Cyclone's all-time leader in three-pointers made with 270.
In high school, Jake eclipsed 3,000 career points in leading Tartan High to a Class 4A state championship game in 2000.
Currently, he is the student and family pastor at Grace Church in Minnesota. Jake is also the father of six children, 3 biological, 3 adopted including Justice, who is a highly recruited linebacker.
On this episode of the podcast, we walk through the journey of Jake Sullivan's life from basketball, to mental illness to adoption and now to ministry.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 410
Kristen Bell is in her ninth season as a Division 1 NCAA Women's Basketball referee. She is also a Sports Dietitian for the Red Bull North America team where she works with professional athletes of all sports. She has worked with actors on Dancing with the Stars, Los Angeles Lakers, Major League baseball players, Crossfit games athletes, UFC fighters, tennis and golf players, and many others to assist them in their nutrition goals.
On this episode of the podcast, Kristen shares how she became a college basketball referee, what the demands look like during a season, that time she ref'd a game 6 months pregnant, and what she prays for before every single game.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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