Sports Spectrum Podcast

BONUS Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger appeared recently on our sister podcast "Table Forty" with former MLB World Series champion Matt Holliday and his wife Leslee to talk about Ben's faith journey, regrets he has from earlier in his career and the importance of being a good teammate.    Table Forty is part of the new Sports Spectrum Podcast Network. You can subscribe to Table Forty right now.  APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/table-forty/id1505637930 SPOTIFY:  https://open.spotify.com/show/5CX8kSHxkgvS3EFfKzrXqq?si=inBIz6wtSY6Xw1qgx_rWYQ  

Episode 524 Karen Kingsbury and her husband Don are our guests today on the podcast. Karen is a #1 New York Times bestselling novelist with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year.   In her former life, Karen was a sports writer for the Los Angeles Times in the 1980's and covered stars like Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky. Her husband Don is a longtime basketball coach who most recently served as an assistant coach with Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville.    On today's podcast, we talk to Karen and Don about their journey of marriage, Karen's success as a writer, how sports has played a role in their life and how Covid-19 presented Karen a unique opportunity with the release of her new book.   Follow Karen o

BONUS EPISODE   Austin Davis is a pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was selected in the 12th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by Philadelphia and four years later, in June of 2018, he made his MLB Debut for the Phillies against the Cardinals.   Davis spent time in 2019 with the Phillies and their AAA club, Lehigh Valley and was rewarded for his pitching by being named as an International League All-Star in AAA.    On this episode of the podcast, Austin shares what he's been learning during the pandemic, being selected by the Phillies, his favorite stories from his minor league journey and what that day was like when he made his MLB debut.    Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sports_spectrum.

Episode 523 Ryan Young played five seasons in the NFL from 1999-2003. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He would play three seasons with the Jets before being selected second overall in the 2002 NFL Expansion Draft to the Houston Texans. After injuries in Houston, he would sign with the Dallas Cowboys and his former coach Bill Parcells. In college, Young was a two-time All-Big 12 selection at Kansas State under coach Bill Snyder. He played in three bowl games during his career with the Wildcats including Cotton Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. Today, Ryan holds the title of "Pastor and Minister of Evangelism" at The Hills Church in Ft. Worth, Texas. On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Ryan about his journey from football to ministry, his favorite Bill Parcells story, his battle with depression and suicide as well as the racial unrest in our country amidst a global pandemic.   Follow Ryan on twitter: @ryanicoach Follow Sports Spectrum on twitter: @Sports_Spectrum Fo

BONUS EPISODE Devin McCourty is a 3-time Super Bowl champion and 2-time Pro Bowl safety with the New England Patriots. He was selected by New England in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft and has spent his entire career with the Patriots. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Devin about the 2020 offseason,  Tom Brady, Cam Newton, and how God has been his steady guide for him and his wife Michelle during a very difficult time that saw the loss of their stillborn baby girl Mia. 

Episode 522   Chris Ferguson plays quarterback at Liberty University. He transferred to the program after spending the previous three seasons at the University of Maine.   The 6’3″, 235 quarterback won the starting job at Maine as a redshirt-freshman and as a sophomore led Maine to a 10-4 record and a spot in the national semifinals. He suffered a season-ending foot injury in the sixth game of the 2019 season.    On today's podcast. we talk to Chris about his decision to transfer to Liberty, how he's been staying working out during the pandemic, growing up in a family with nine sisters and how he has coped with the highs and lows in life.   Follow Chris on Instagram: http://instagram.com/cferg17/  Follow us on Sports Spectrum: http://instagram.com/sports_spectrum 

Episode 521 Sal Giardina is currently a professional baseball player in the Atlanta Braves organization. He was selected in the 31st round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Braves out of Lynn University in Florida. Since becoming a pro baseball player, Sal has grinded it out through his minor league journey with stops in Rome, NY, Pearl, Mississippi and Gwinnett County, Georgia. Last year, he suffered a tear of his UCL in a spot pitching appearance and had Tommy John surgery in June of 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Sal Giardina about love for fishing, continuing to chase his MLB dream, how the pandemic has brought him closer to his the Lord and his crazy pro baseball journey that takes him from playing, coaching, the phantom DL, injuries and even a bus crash.  Follow Sal on Instagram: @SGiardina21 Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 520   LaMorris Crawford is the team chaplain of the Cincinnati Bengals. Born on the south side of Chicago, Crawford was brought into a life of poverty, gangs, drugs and violence. His mother gave birth to him at the age of 16 and was shot to death at the age of 17. LaMorris’ Dad was nowhere to be found and to this day, he’s never met his own father.   Amazingly, LaMorris escaped his tough upbringing and was able to become the first person in his family to graduate from college.   Today, Crawford, along with his wife Megan have four beautiful children, and they serve as the team chaplains for the Cincinnati Bengals. He has a passion for preaching, communicating clearly and effectively God’s word by sharing with others how the Lord can also do an incredible work in their lives.   On this episode of the podcast, we talk to LaMorris about trusting in God after being diagnosed with Covid-19, how he's ministering to his players during this pandemic and what he wants everyone to know about the healing power o

BONUS EPISODE Chris Broussard is currently the co-host of "The Odd Couple" on FOX Sports Radio and is a commentator of various FOX Sports and FS1 telecasts.  For almost more than a decade, Chris worked as an NBA insider with ESPN and ESPN the Magazine.  Chris is also the founder of K.I.N.G. Movement, a national Christian men's organization that seeks to strengthen men in their Christian faith by providing support, accountability, teaching, fellowship and brotherhood. On today's show Chris joins us to look back at the 10 year anniversary of LeBron James' decision on ESPN, reporting on that story, remembering Stuart Scott, broadcasting amidst Covid-19 and the importance for him to filter his thoughts and responses to the current racial climate through the lens of his faith in Christ.    Follow Chris on Instagram: @ChrisBroussard Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @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

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 t

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 Andr

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 line

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 Twi

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 h

Episode 512   Christian Taylor is a U.S. track and field athlete. He is the two-time reigning Olympic champion in the triple jump, winning gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the 2016 Rio Olympics. He is also the current world champion in the event, taking gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.   At the age of 17, Taylor became the triple jump champion and long jump bronze medalist at the 2007 World Youth Championships, and then established himself as a top-level triple jumper at the University of Florida. He won back-to-back NCAA indoor titles and consecutive NCAA outdoor championships in 2010 and 2011.   On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Taylor about the 2020 Summer Olympics being postponed, what training looks like during a pandemic, and why it was important for him to walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it came to being a follower of Christ.   Follow Christian on Instagram: @Taylored2Jump Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum