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
Gigi Marvin is a member of the 2018 Gold Medal winning USA Olympic Women's Hockey team.
Gigi scored a goal in the overtime shootout and helped Team USA achieve their first ever Gold Medal beating Canada 3-2 in an absolute classic.
Having just returned from the Olympics, we caught up with Gigi in Washington D.C. as she's traveling with her squad on a victory tour around the U.S.A.
On this episode of the podcast, Gigi shares that incredible moment of winning the Gold Medal, how God helped keep her at peace in the days leading up to the big game, how winning the Gold is going to increase her platform to share Christ, and whether or not that is the greatest game she's ever been a part of.
You can learn more about Gigi Marvin's story from our original interview with her on Episode 64 of the podcast here.
Brett Phillips is one of the funniest people in baseball.
The 23-year-old was selected by the Houston Astros in 6th round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
On July 30, 2015, he was traded from Houston to Milwaukee as part of a 6 player deal that included Carlos Gomez, among other prospects.
Phillips made his MLB debut on June 5, 2017 for the Brewers in a game against the San Francisco Giants.
Away from the field, Phillips has maybe the craziest laugh you'll ever hear.
On this episode of the podcast, Brett Phillips shares why he did a back flip at an Andy Mineo concert, what it was like to make his MLB debut, growing up as a neighbor to Randy "Macho Man" Savage, and why he embraces being the guy with the famous laugh.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
After playing 10 seasons in the NFL, running back Matt Forte has announced his retirement from professional football.
On this bonus episode of the podcast, Matt shares exclusively with Sports Spectrum why he decided to retire, the role his faith in Christ played in his decision, his favorite memory as an NFL player, his love for the Chicago Bears fans and why preaching the Gospel and making disciples is his number one priority in retirement.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com.
2017 was the greatest season in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles franchise as they won their first ever Super Bowl.
On the field, the Eagles dealt with a ton of adversity overcoming injuries to key players including their starting QB Carson Wentz. Off the field though, a spiritual awakening took place and started to take shape this year.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to 5 members of that Super Bowl winning team, WR Torrey Smith, TE Trey Burton, OL Stefen Wisniewski, LB Jordan Hicks and DB Chris Maragos. Team chaplain Ted Winsley also joined the conversation as we looked back at everything that transpired throughout the 2017 season.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Greg Tonagel begins his 13th season at the helm of the Indiana Wesleyan University men’s basketball team in 2017-18.
Tonagel and the Wildcats reached the summit in 2014 and 2016 as the program won two NAIA Division II national championships in three years. Indiana Wesleyan won the 2014 red banner in unprecedented fashion as they became the first team to win all five of their games at the national tournament by double digit. In 2016, Indiana Wesleyan defeated the top two seeds in the tournament to claim the title.
Tonagel is a two-time NABC/NAIA Division II National Coach of the Year.
In his 12 season as a head coach, Tonagel has already led Indiana Wesleyan to two national championships, one Final Four, five Elite Eight finishes, and eight Crossroads League regular season championships, including seven straight from 2009-15.
Perhaps the biggest influence that Tonagel and the staff have had on the program is the work ethic that they have instilled on and off the court. Tonagel’s teams have passion and toughness. Whether it is writing a paper, helping a neighbor or working out in the gym, Tonagel demands commitment and 100-percent effort from each student-athlete.
On this episode of the podcast, Coach Tonagel shares his "March Madness" moment during his playing days at Valparaiso, what basketball means to the state of Indiana, how he incorporates his faith into his coaching, what the motto of being "third" means, and the life verse that has kept him grounded in his faith.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Daniel Schlereth is the son of former Super Bowl champion and NFL analyst Mark Schlereth.
The former MLB pitcher with the Tigers and Diamondbacks was selected in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft by Arizona and made his major league debut against the Atlanta Braves on May 29, 2009.
He was traded in 2010 to the Tigers and was a member of the Detroit club that made it all the way to the World Series in 2012.
In college at the University of Arizona, Schlereth played 3 seasons for the Wildcats baseball team. He also met his wife Bree there and they married in November of 2010.
On this episode of the podcast, Daniel and his wife Bree join us to talk about their journey to the Major Leagues, growing up with a Super Bowl winning Dad and dealing with adversity as a couple and then as parents.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Todd Gerelds, son of Legendary Alabama high school coach Tandy Gerelds, witnessed God’s transforming grace at Woodlawn and throughout his dad’s life.
His book Woodlawn, based on the life he grew up as a child of a high school football coach in the racially divided deep south of Alabama, was made into a major motion picture.
Gereld's latest book Always Fall Forward, is a reflection on 52 of his dad's most formative "coachisms" that will encourage and direct you when life hits hard. This book challenges men to live the way Coach Gerelds lived --- grounded in faith and willing to stand up for what he believed in no matter the cost.
Todd's dad, Tandy Gerelds’s career spanned four decades and also included coaching stints at Shoals Christian School (AL), Belmont High School (MS), and Deshler High School where Todd played for his father, and where Coach Gerelds won the Alabama State Championship in 1990. His Deshler team broke the all-time scoring record at that time (603 points) and had a twenty-eight game winning streak. Todd, his wife, and four daughters live in Birmingham, Alabama.
Gerelds has spent over 20 years as an award-winning sales professional, sales trainer, and sales manager with three Fortune 500 companies.
Todd is married to Jennifer Morgan Gerelds. They have four daughters: Morgan, Bailey Kay "BK", Alli, and Maggie Leigh.
On this episode of the podcast, Todd shares why he wrote the book WOODLAWN, how it turned into a major motion picture, the passion that Alabama has for football, why his Dad was his biggest teacher and what the Lord is teaching him right now.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Chris Lane is the chaplain for the Miami Marlins and ministers to baseball players. He's also the founder and executive director of First Priority, which ministers to high school students in the southeast Florida area.
One of the schools that Chris and his team at First Priority are a part of is Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the site of Wednesday's horrific school shooting that saw 17 people die and numerous more injured.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris takes us to the scene in Parkland on Wednesday and how he and many others responded by praying and ministering for families. Lane also shares how God has been working in the midst of a terrible tragedy and finding purpose in the pain.
Reverend Earl Smith is the team chaplain for the NBA world champion Golden State Warriors and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.
In 1983, at the age of 27, Earl became the youngest person ever hired as a Protestant Chaplain by the California Department of Corrections.
Earl was born and reared in Stockton California. The cycle of events in Earl’s life came to a head in 1975 when he was shot 6 times while living the life of a small time gangster. Although expected to die, Earl’s father’s faith, prayers and love seemed to bring him through. The words of his father have motivated him, since that event, “you are a rebel, but you are God’s rebel, and He is going to use you to His glory.”
In August of 2000, Chaplain Smith was recognized as the “National Correctional Chaplain of the Year.”
Earl currently serves as the Team Pastor for the Golden State Warriors and the San Francisco 49ers’. From 1998 to 2005 Earl was the Chapel Leader for the San Francisco Giants.
Smith is the author of the book "DEATH ROW CHAPLAIN," released in 2014.
The ministry of Earl Smith is known across the nation. Earl has appeared on numerous broadcasts, including HBO, CNN, THE CBS Morning News, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, 100 Huntley Street, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel. Earl has been featured in such publications as People’s Weekly, Ministry Today, Newsweek, Ebony, Christianity Today, Guidepost, The African Americans and Time. Earl has received two “Angel” awards for excellence in media.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Reverend Earl about being a team chaplain in the NFL and NBA, his amazing story growing up in a gang, almost dying, getting saved, becoming a prison chaplain and some of the incredible things he saw God do with inmates on death row.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Taylor James plays the lead role as the title character in the upcoming PURE FLIX movie, SAMSON.
Taylor's many film and television credits include BLITZ for Lionsgate; MAMMA MIA for Universal; and JUSTICE LEAGUE for Warner Bros. His acting career launched on London's West End as an original cast member in the U.K. production of the musical Footloose, playing the iconic character of William Hewitt.
On this episode of the podcast, Taylor shares how he prepared for such an iconic role as SAMSON, how he was able to fast from food during the shoot, his love for the NBA, and why he feels forgiveness is something we can all receive from God.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
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