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.
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Episode 227
Neal Young was named the head basketball coach at Covenant College (Division III) in August of 2017. Young came to Covenant after spending four years as head coach at Goshen (Ind.) College.
In his first year at Covenant, Young set a program record for wins by a first-year head coach as he guided the Scots to an 18-10 overall record, tying a program record for winning percentage, and a trip to the USA South Tournament championship game. During the year, the Scots went on an eight-game winning streak, the longest in the NCAA era, and won double-digit conference games for the second time in three seasons.
Young had success leading Goshen, an NAIA Division II member. His 2015-16 team recorded its second double-digit victory season in 46 years of Crossroads League basketball. Goshen went 19-13 overall and 10-8 in league play, hosting a CL tournament game for the first time since 2005, and produced an NAIA All-American in the process. This past year, the Maple Leafs toppled No. 1-ranked University of St. Francis for the program's first-ever win over a top-ranked opponent.
On this episode of the podcast, we learn about Neal's basketball journey, but even more, his journey to faith in Christ and battling cancer and depression all while continuing to achieve his dream as a college basketball coach. This episode is sure to inspire everyone who listens.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 226
Jaime García was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 22nd round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft. On July 11, 2008, he made his MLB debut with the Cardinals against the Pirates. He won a World Series in 2011 after going 13-7 with a 3.56 ERA for St. Louis and became just the second Mexican-born pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 to ever start a World Series game.
In December 2016, García was traded to the Atlanta Braves in a four-player deal. In July 2017, he was traded from Atlanta to Minnesota. Six days later, he was again traded, this time from Minnesota to the New York Yankees. In February 2018, now a free agent, García signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays and finished 2018 with the Chicago Cubs.
On January 9, 2019, Jaime announced his retirement from baseball after 10 MLB seasons.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jaime about retirement, why now was the time to say goodbye, the faith in Christ that became real to him during his MLB career, and why he wants to take seminary classes and deepen his walk with the Lord in his post-baseball journey.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 225
David Stein is the co-host of "Rise and Stein" on Victory 91.5 FM in Atlanta. He's also the Spiritual Development Pastor at Revolution Church in Atlanta.
Prior to his work in the ministry, David was a sports talk show host with Fox Sports Radio and Sporting News Radio.
But David's story is more than his job. A former Jewish-Atheist, David's conversion to faith is incredible, improbable and inspiring.
In part 2 of our two-part conversation with David, he talked about whether he investigated this new found faith in Jesus, what it was like to tell his Jewish parents about his conversion, sharing about his faith testimony on national sports radio and finding a wife and working in ministry.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 224
David Stein is the co-host of "Rise and Stein" on Victory 91.5 FM in Atlanta. He's also the Spiritual Development Pastor at Revolution Church in Atlanta.
Prior to his work in the ministry, David was a sports talk show host with Fox Sports Radio and Sporting News Radio.
But David's story is more than his job. A former Jewish-Atheist, David's conversion to faith is incredible, improbable and inspiring.
In part 1 of our two-part conversation with David, we hear about David's love for Clemson football, his thoughts on Dabo Swinney, struggling with drugs and alcohol and then his INCREDIBLE conversion to faith in Christ.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 223
In 2018, Clinton McDonald played defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders. Selected in 2009 by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 7th round (249th overall), he would begin to make his mark with the Seahawks, arriving there in 2011 and helping his club to a Super Bowl victory in 2013, beating the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
In 2014, Clinton arrived in Tampa, and played 4 seasons with the Buccaneers before signing in Denver early in 2018 and then joining Oakland in Week 2.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Clinton about the 2018 season, his thoughts on the playoffs, the not so glamorous life of a 7th round NFL Draft pick, how faith in Christ has guided him throughout his NFL career and why he attended the NFL's Super Bowl breakfast in Minneapolis last year.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Nick Foles joined us on Episode 124 of the podcast back in July 2, 2018.
He was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft and made the Pro Bowl in 2013 before being traded to the Rams and then a stint with the Chiefs before coming back to the Eagles in 2017 as the backup to Carson Wentz.
In December 2017, starting QB Carson Wentz injured his knee and two months later, Foles was the Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 373 yards and three TDs in the Eagles’ 41-33 victory over the Patriots. Foles is also the only quarterback to ever catch a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.
In 2018, Foles once again came to the Eagles rescue after another Wentz injury and he's led his club back to the playoffs.
Today we look back at our interview with Nick from 2018 as he discusses how he almost retired from the NFL, helped instill faith into the Eagles locker room and why he's content at being a QB in the NFL and God would take care of the rest.
Listen to the entire interview here.
Episode 222
Jason Avant was selected by the Eagles in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Michigan. The wide receiver played 8 seasons in Philadelphia, catching passes from Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Nick Foles. After his tenure with the Eagles ended in 2013, he finished his career with Carolina and Kansas City before retiring after the 2015 season.
Avant played in 8 playoff games with Philadelphia, including the 2008 NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Jason about being a spiritual leader in the Eagles locker room, reading through the Bible with his quarterback Nick Foles in 2013, serving in youth ministry during his time in Philadelphia and coming to faith in Christ during his time in college at the University of Michigan.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 221
Rocky Seto was living the dream as an NFL coach. Working for Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks, Seto was a part of a team that made two straight Super Bowls and an NFL championship in 2013. And then, after the 2016 season, Seto decided to leave his dream job and enter ministry, as a pastor.
Seto played college football at USC in 1997 and 1998, and then became a coach soon thereafter where he would help the Trojans to the AP National Championship in 2003 and 2004, and win the Rose Bowl 5 times.
In 2010, he would join coach Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks where he would remain until his departure in 2017.
Seto is now pastoring Evergreen Baptist Church in La Puenta, California.
In part 2 of our two part interview with Rocky, he shares about his time with the Seahawks, faith in the locker room, why he left football to go into ministry full-time and following the call that God had placed on his life.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 220
Rocky Seto was living the dream as an NFL coach. Working for Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks, Seto was a part of a team that made two straight Super Bowls and an NFL championship in 2013. And then, after the 2016 season, Seto decided to leave his dream job and enter ministry, as a pastor.
Seto played college football at USC in 1997 and 1998, and then became a coach soon thereafter where he would help the Trojans to the AP National Championship in 2003 and 2004, and win the Rose Bowl 5 times.
In 2010, he would join coach Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks where he would remain until his departure in 2017.
Seto is now pastoring Evergreen Baptist Church in La Puenta, California.
In part 1 of our two part interview with Rocky, we learn about his faith journey, coming to Christ at USC as a player and the impact Coach Pete Carroll has had on his life.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 219
Benjamin Watson has played 15 NFL seasons as a tight end with the Patriots, Browns, Saints and Ravens.
After an all-SEC senior campaign with Georgia, he was drafted in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. As a Patriot, Benjamin received a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season of 2004 as well as appearing in another Super Bowl in 2007.
He also play with Cleveland, New Orleans, Baltimore and then returning to New Orleans in 2018 for what would be his final NFL season. Watson announced he was retiring from the NFL in late December after playing 15 years as a tight end. The 38-year-old caught 35 passes for 400 yards and 2 touchdowns this year as New Orleans received a bye and now has home field advantage throughout the 2018 playoffs as they look to make a Super Bowl appearance in Atlanta in early February.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Benjamin about his decision to retire, preparing for a final playoff run, his wife and he expecting twins, faith in the Saints locker room and his hosting Football Sunday in churches Super Bowl Sunday morning.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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