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 323
Hunter Kemper is one of the most decorated U.S. triathletes in history. A four-time member of the U.S. Olympic triathlon team, he was one of only two men in the world to qualify for the first four Olympic triathlons (2000-2012).
His best finish at an Olympics was seventh in the 2008 Beijing Games. In 2005, he was ranked No. 1 in the International Triathlon Union world rankings, one of only two American male triathletes to earn such a ranking. He ended 2005 by being named the U.S. Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year. In 2003, Kemper won a gold medal at the Pan American Games, becoming the first U.S. male to do so.
Last year in 2018, Kemper was inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, he also announced his retirement from competition.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kemper about the difficult adjustment to retirement, competing in four Olympic Games, what faith looked like at the Olympics, how he came to know Christ in college at Wake Forest, his favorite moment at the Olympics, and the tension he wrestled with in sharing his faith as an elite athlete.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Geoff Blum played 14 MLB seasons with Montreal, Tampa, Houston, San Diego, Chicago and Arizona. He was a World Series hero in 2005, hitting the game-winning home run in the 14th inning of Game 3, leading the White Sox to a victory and their first championship in 88 years.
He joined us in October 2017 for Episode 49 of the show where he looked back at his 2005 World Series moment, previewed that epic 2017 World Series between Houston and the L.A. Dodgers and shared why he is loved and hated in the city of Houston.
Blum is currently a TV analyst for his former team, the Houston Astros and on this THROWBACK edition of the podcast, we bring back Geoff's story of faith, how he came to know Christ and what it was like to live as a believer in Major League Baseball.
Listen to the entire interview with Geoff from Episode 49 in October of 2017 here.
Episode 322
Ryan Succop is the kicker for the Tennessee Titans. Ryan was selected as the 256th and final pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. The 2-time All-SEC Second Team kicker played 5 seasons with Kansas City before being released on August 30, 2014. Two days later, September 1, 2014, he signed with the Tennessee Titans, where he has been ever since.
Ryan holds the NFL record for most consecutive successful field goals from inside 50 yards (56) and in his rookie season, he tied an NFL record for highest field goal percentage by a rookie with 86.2%.
In February 2018, Ryan signed a new 5-year contract extension.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Ryan about his 11-year NFL career, the offseason routine of a kicker, when he made Christ Lord, being picked as Mr. Irrelevant, and having teammates to keep him accountable in his faith walk.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 321
Nick Hays is not your typical Navy SEAL. After cutting weight as a wrestler, his growth was severely stunted. Standing just over 5 feet tall, he was often bullied as a kid and was laughed at when he told others of his dream to become a member of one of the world's most elite units.
Hays learned that what first seemed like a deficiency was indeed his greatest strength because it made him immune to adversity. After leaving the SEAL teams following 10 years, he tried out for a para-military unit within the CIA. His operating days came to an end when he ruptured a disk while preparing for an operation in Afghanistan.
Disillusioned, broken and without means to provide for his family, Hays was left without a purpose in life. After recovery, his training kicked in, and he remembered the lessons learned from the SEAL teams and put them to the test with professional athletes. Word spread and before he knew it, he was training the Miami Heat and eventually worked with the Atlanta Falcons on their way to a Super Bowl.
Hays holds a BA from the University of Maryland, a Masters in Business from the University of San Diego, and a post-graduate degree from the Harvard Business School.
On this episode of the podcast, we hear Hays' journey of becoming a Navy SEAL, what it's like to train and live the SEAL life, how his faith in Christ keeps him grounded, how he came to help develop culture with NFL and NBA teams, and why he has the nickname Nick "The Heart."
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 320
Jefferson Bethke is a New York Times-bestselling author and speaker who has written three books. In 2012, Bethke’s YouTube video, “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus,” went viral and has since received more than 34 million views. After the video, he decided to write the book “Jesus > Religion,” which would go on to become a New York Times bestseller.
He has since released two more books: “It’s Not What You Think” and “Love That Lasts” with his wife, Alyssa.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Bethke about his love for baseball and the Seattle Mariners, dealing with sudden fame, coming to faith as a high schooler, and doing ministry with his wife.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 319
Johnny Quinn is an author and speaker who went from NFL football player to Olympic bobsledder. He is the author of the book "PUSH: Breaking Through the Barriers" which was released in February of 2018.
In college, Johnny was a wide receiver with North Texas, where he was a member of 3 Sun Belt Conference championship teams, ultimately being inducted into the North Texas Hall of Fame in 2011.
Cut three times from NFL teams, Johnny lost 2.6 million dollars in NFL contracts and blew out his knee. Then he became an Olympian for the United States of America.
Johnny is just the third person ever to have played in the NFL and have competed in the Winter Olympics. (Herschel Walker/Jeremy Bloom were the others)
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Johnny about his crazy journey from football to bobsledding, becoming a new Dad, his pursuit of an NFL career, the viral moment at the Olympics (it's not what you think), and what it looks like to stand for Christ and live unashamed for Him.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Inky Johnson is a motivational speaker, author and former college football player with the University of Tennessee.
He joined us back in May of 2018 on Episode 112 of the show to talk about his journey of faith, how the worst day of his life actually turned into the best day of his life, why it’s important to have a “relationship” with God, why there’s a lesson and blessing in everything that happens for us, and how he’s seen people impacted by the message of his story.
On this THROWBACK portion of the interview, Inky shares the moment he realized that his message, his trial, his story, could actually impact and help other people.
Listen to the entire interview with Inky Johnson from Episode 111 here.
Episode 318
Lauryn Williams is an Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter and an Olympic silver medal-winning bobsledder. She is one of six athletes to have won a medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, as well as the first American woman to do so.
At the age 20 in her first Olympics (after winning gold medals at the junior world championships, Pan American Games and NCAA Championships), Williams won the silver medal in the women’s 100-meter dash at the 2004 Athens Games. She went on to win gold in that event at the 2005 World Championships, where she also won gold in the 4x100m relay. Two years later at the 2007 Worlds, she won another relay gold while finishing second in the 100m.
Williams also competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but left without a medal. She placed fourth in the women’s 100m, and the U.S. women were disqualified from the 4x100m relay due to a dropped baton. Williams and the U.S. women redeemed themselves by winning 4x100m relay gold at the 2012 London Games, the final Summer Olympics for Williams.
She then shifted her focus to bobsled in 2013, and teamed up with veteran driver Elana Meyers, who had won a bronze medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Williams helped push her to silver at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
In March 2019, Williams released her first book, “The Oval Office,” to provide actionable advice on how you can succeed at building a career as a professional athlete.
On this episode of the podcast, we talked to Williams about her journey to the Olympics, coming to faith in Christ, and trusting Him through the tough moments of her life.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 317
Matt Mooney is a former college basketball player who played at Air Force, South Dakota and, most recently, Texas Tech.
His one season with the Red Raiders saw him make second-team All-Big 12, the Big 12 All-Defensive team and the 2019 Final Four All-Tournament team in helping Texas Tech reach its first-ever national championship game, where it lost in overtime to Virginia. Mooney scored 22 points in Tech’s 61-51 win over Michigan State in the national semifinals, and he finished with 10 points in the loss to Virginia.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Mooney about the thrill of victory, responding to defeat with grace, NBA draft preparation, playing in the Final Four, coming to faith in Christ, and living that out on college basketball’s biggest stage.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 316
Jade McCarthy is an Emmy-Award winning sports commentator. For 5 years, she was an anchor at ESPN, working on shows such as SportsCenter and NFL LIVE. She was released from her job at ESPN as part of a larger group of layoffs, on April 26, 2017.
Prior to ESPN, Jade had broadcasting stops in Springfield, MA, Huntsville, AL, Philadelphia, PA and Boston, MA.
In the Fall of 2018, she returned to broadcasting, working for NBC Sports Boston as a host on its Patriots coverage.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jade about her broadcasting journey and how her faith in Christ grew after being let go by ESPN.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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