Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 459 Jose Campo is a National Wrestling Hall of Famer who coached wrestling for over forty years. He is the son of Hall of Fame wrestling coach Joe Campo and is currently the team chaplain for the USA Olympic wrestling team. Growing up, Jose was taught right from wrong, but a series of bad choices including his involvement in the largest cheating scandal in West Point history at Army, spiraled Jose down a bad path. Ultimately, it was putting his faith and trust in Jesus Christ that allowed him to come back and today, he spends his life dedicated to God and serving the Lord through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as a spiritual mentor for the U.S. wrestling team. On this episode of the podcast, Jose shares how he is serving with USA Wrestling, growing up with a legend of a father, how his life got caught up in a cheating scandal and the beautiful redemption story that God played in bring him out of his mess.  For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE Morgan Trent is a former NFL player who was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played his college football at the University of Michigan, where he started 41 of 48 games and had eight career interceptions. He also was a track and field sprinter with the Wolverines before joining the NFL. After playing four seasons with the Bengals, Colts, Jaguars and Redskins, Trent’s NFL career was over and he turned to real estate. He earned his real estate license and is currently working with Aaron Kirman Partners and selling real estate in Southern California. And he is currently featured on CNBC’s newest show “Listing Impossible,” airing Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. You can also watch the show online at CNBC.com. He attends Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and lives by the simple phrase “Love God, Love People.” On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Trent about going from the reality show of the NFL to a reality show on CNBC. He tells us how he got int

Episode 458 Carson Wentz is the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was selected No. 2 overall in the 2016 draft, and he has started each of the 57 games he has played since. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 but was unable to play due to an ACL injury earlier that season, which also kept him out as the Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII. Wentz battled injuries in 2018 as well, appearing in only 11 games, but he started all 16 regular-season games in 2019 and got to play in his first NFL playoff game. He enters his fifth season as one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks. In the summer of 2017, Wentz started his Audience of One Foundation, which is dedicated to “uplifting individuals and communities around the world by demonstrating God’s love for His people.” It is made up of three primary ministries: Thy Kingdom Crumb (a food truck that distributes free food); Outdoor Ministry (hunting and fishing trips for kids); and the Haiti Sports Complex (sports facilities in Haiti). Wentz is also a marri

Episode 457 Clint Hurdle has been a staple in Major League Baseball for over forty years. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1975 MLB Draft and just two years later, made his MLB debut. A member of the 1980 American League championship team in Kansas City, Hurdle would play for seven more years until retiring in 1987. After his playing days ended, Hurdle went into coaching in 1988 and 14 years later, would be named the manager of the Colorado Rockies. During his time with Colorado, he would lead the Rockies to the National League title and a trip to the World Series in 2007. After his time in Colorado ended in 2010, he would sign on to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 where he led the Bucs to three straight playoff appearances in 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2013, he was named Sporting News NL Manager of the Year.  In September of 2019, he was relieved of his duties as manager of the Pirates. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Clint Hurdle about adjusti

BONUS EPISODE Josh McCown spent the 2019 season as a quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals after playing his college football Sam Houston State.  Josh would go on to play 17 NFL seasons with eleven different teams (Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Dolphins, Panthers, 49ers, Bears, Buccaneers, Browns, Jets and Eagles). In 2019, Josh backed up Carson Wentz in Philadelphia and found himself making his first ever appearance in a playoff game when he came in to relieve an injured Wentz in the Eagles loss to the Seahawks. In that game, McCown suffered a torn hamstring off the bone and continued to play an entire half with the injury. On this episode of the podcast, Josh McCown shares a health update on his torn hamstring, getting the opportunity to play in his first ever playoff game, why he came out of retirement to play in 2019, what faith in the Eagles locker room was like and what Josh's plans are for 2020.  For more stor

Episode 456 Since 2014, David Baker has been the President and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At 6'9 and 400 pounds, David is an imposing figure but he's also the one guy every former NFL player loves during the Super Bowl as Baker is the guy who knocks on the door and congratulates the new inductees every year to the Hall. In 2018, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was voted the Best Attraction for Sports Fans in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest. Before his football governing days, Baker played professional basketball in Switzerland and worldwide with a Christian basketball team that beat the best in the world. He was elected Mayor and Councilman of Irvine, Calif., the country’s first master-planned city and served for 12 years as the Commissioner of the Arena Football League. Baker is the father of two boys – Ben who is the Director of Broadcasting at NASCAR and Sam who played left tackle for the Atlanta Falcons and currently serves as a coach for Mission Viejo High School footba

Episode 455 Matt Carpenter is a 3-time All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was selected in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft out of TCU. A three-time second-team All Mountain West Conference selectee, he broke TCU's school record for games played and at bats. He would make his MLB debut in June of 2011 and has been a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup since becoming a regular in 2012. In 2013, he would be selected to his first All-Star game in helping St. Louis to the World Series. He would make two more All-Star game appearances in 2014 and 2016. In 2018, he hit a career high 36 home runs and in 2019, he reached 1,000 career hits. On this episode of the podcast, we talked to Matt about the 2020 season, why he doesn't wear batting gloves, how his time in college at TCU opened his heart up to the Lord and what living that faith out each day looks like today compared to when he first came to St. Louis nine years ago. We also want to send a special welcome to our new partners and sponsors Internat

Episode 454 Bob Goff is one of the most unique people in the United States. These days, he is most widely known as the New York Times-bestselling author of “Love Does,” released in 2012, and “Everybody Always” in 2018. Before Goff was an author, he was making a difference around the world as the founder of Restore International (now known as Love Does), which he started in 2001 to “find daring, productive and effective ways to fight the injustices committed against children.” Love Does now works to promote human rights and education in current and recovering conflict zones. It works in Uganda, Iraq, Nepal, Somalia, Afghanistan and India. Goff also serves as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, in both the law school and the graduate degree programs, with courses such as Nonprofit Law in the school’s Global Justice Program. In a previous career, he was a trial lawyer. He’s also an international speaker and launched the Dream Big Framework in 2016, a curriculum and workshop designed to motivate people

Episode 453 Ingle Martin was selected in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He began his college career at the University of Florida before transferring to Furman for his junior and senior season and setting multiple team records as well as being a punter for the Paladins. After being drafted in 2006, Martin found himself as a backup quarterback on a Packers team that featured Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. In August of 2007, he was released by the Packers and picked up by the Titans. He would have stints with Tennessee, Denver, and Kansas City before ending his professional career in 2009. In 2011, Martin became the head football coach of Christ Presbyterian Academy, a private high school located in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2019, his club finished as the state runner-up despite a 2-6 start.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Ingle Martin about his football journey, the difference is in adversity in football as compared to adversity in life and why keeping Christ has help

Episode 452 Nicole Hensley is a professional women's hockey goaltender and a member of the United State's 2018 Gold Medal winning team at the Winter Olympics in South Korea.  Growing up a fan of Patrick Roy, Hensley always wanted to be a goalie and began her hockey journey when she was just a little girl.  As a member of the U.S. Women's National Team, Nicole has competed in one Olympic Winter Games (gold-2018), two International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships (gold-2016, 2017); and two Four Nations Cups (1st-2016, 2017) On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Nicole about where her love for hockey began, how she became a member of Team USA, the experience of competing in an Olympics and that moment she won a Gold Medal. Nicole's faith is strong and throughout the conversation, she talks about how the Lord has been her guide.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 451 David Prince is a two-time United States Paralympian sprinter. Raised by missionary parents, David traveled frequently across the country and to Oaxaca, Mexico. In 2002, at the age of 18, he crashed his motorcycle which resulted in having his leg amputated below the knee as well as a traumatic head injury. After seeing his life come crumbling down, David was able to turn that setback into a comeback and began training to become a sprinter. In 2010, Prince won a gold medal at the U.S. Paralympic National Championship in the 400m event, a silver medal in the long jump and a bronze medal in the 200m event. In 2011, Prince won a gold medal at the 2011 Parapan American Games in the 200m and 400m events. In 2011 at the IPC World Championship, he won a silver medal in the 4 × 100 meter relay and a bronze medal in the 400m event. Later that year at the Paralympic National Championship, he won a gold medal in the 200m and 400m events and a silver medal in the 100m race. Prince narrowly missed qualifying fo

Episode 450 Kelsey Plum was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars. She shined in college at the University of Washington where he helped the Lady Huskies reach the Final Four in 2016. In 2017, she was the Naismith College Player of the Year and won the John Wooden Award as the top women's college basketball player.  Her 3,527 points scored in her four-year career at Washington is the most all-time in Division One Women's College Basketball.  After being selected by San Antonio, Plum was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2017 and has played her last two seasons in Las Vegas after the team relocated from Texas to Nevada.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kelsey about the 2020 Olympics, being the number one overall pick, her prolific career at Washington, feeling the weight of expectations, how her faith in the Lord grew in college and how adversity has helped her re-align in her walk with Christ.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

What is Football Sunday? It’s a resource for churches to provide their people with an inside look at faith in the NFL in a way that’s relatable to all. The main feature is an in-church sermon-replacement video starring prominent NFL players.  This year’s presentation features the stories and testimonies of Chicago Bears defensive back Prince Amukamara, New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder and New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson. It is hosted by former NFL quarterback Brock Huard.  The video closes with a Gospel presentation. Enjoy Football Sunday 2020! For more information, go to http://SportsSpectrum.com

Continuing our Super Bowl week coverage from Miami, we were able to talk to former Kansas City Chiefs pro bowl cornerback Brandon Flowers.  Selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by Kansas City out of Virginia Tech, Flowers would play six seasons with the Chiefs from 2008-2013. He would play his final three seasons with the Chargers before retiring due to concussions after the 2016 season.  Brandon has a blossoming broadcasting career that saw him working with the NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp at the Super Bowl in Miami in 2020.  On this episode of the podcast, we were able to talk to former Brandon Flowers about his journey of faith, seeing his former team in the Super Bowl, dealing with concussions and how that faith in the Lord helped him during difficult trials he faced in his life.  For more stories and interviews like this, you can check out our website -- http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 449 Troy Vincent is a 5-time Pro Bowl defensive back who played 15 seasons in the NFL with the Dolphins, Eagles, Bills and Redskins from 1992-2006. After working with the NFL's Player Association, Troy moved into a different role with the NFL and is currently their Vice President of Football Operations. Troy was honored for his work away from football with the 2002 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and the 2005 Bart Starr Award. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Troy about his role with the NFL, his faith in Christ, how he carries that faith with him and the disciplines that he instills into his own life each day. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Live from Super Bowl LIV in Miami, Florida, Sports Spectrum talked to five members of the San Francisco 49ers:  wide receiver Jordan Matthews, assistant coach Johnny Holland, defensive back D.J. Reed, assistant coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive end Arik Armstead.  They share their story of faith, football and preparing for the big game. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Live from Super Bowl LIV in Miami, Florida, Sports Spectrum talked to four members of the Kansas City Chiefs: offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski, defensive end Chris Jones, long-snapper James Winchester and fullback Anthony Sherman. They share their story of faith, football and preparing for the big game.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Mitch Holthus has been calling Kansas City Chiefs football games since 1994. Now in his 24th season, Mitch will get his chance to call his first Super Bowl for the Chiefs against San Francisco.  The 8-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year talked with us on the podcast about calling the Super Bowl, where his faith took shape, being an elder in his church and the redemptive story that he sees the Chiefs living through right now.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

For two seasons in Kansas City, Larry Johnson was the best running back in the NFL. In 2003, he was selected by the Chiefs in the first round with pick number 27. In 2005, he took over as the starter and rushed for over 1,700 yards. A year later, in 2006, he set an NFL record with 416 carries and rushed for a Chiefs record 1,789 yards.  He would play seven full seasons in Kansas City and then finish his career with stints in Cincinnati, Washington and Miami before retiring after the 2011 season.  During his career, Larry got caught up in multiple legal issues and entered a downward spiral post-NFL career and it wasn't until a few years ago when Johnson started his journey back to God.  On this episode of the podcast, Larry Johnson shares his story of redemption and how God brought him out of his lowest moments and back to being a man his daughter can be proud of. This is a very transparent look at a guy who had it all in the NFL for a few years and after the pull of the world was winning, the grace of the Lor

Episode 448 Rebecca Bender is a survivor. Growing up in a small town in Oregon, Bender had dreams of living a purposeful life.  Rebecca thought she found her fairytale when she moved to Las Vegas with her boyfriend. But her dream became her nightmare when her boyfriend became her pimp at the age of 19. Trapped in a life of chaos, coerced into prostitution, abused and controlled by her trafficker, Rebecca was forced into sex trafficking for nearly six years. Many attempted escapes, two brandings, and several pimps later, Federal Investigators raided the home, allowing her an eventual avenue for escape. Today she is the CEO & Founder of RBI (Rebecca Bender Initiative)  and Author of the new book, In Pursuit of Love, releasing on January 28, 2020. Rebecca is passionate about telling her story but even more, helping others tell their own. Rebecca has consulted on some of the largest legal cases and was the only non-law-endorsement person to receive a special operations, all-access pass to assist police in Min