Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 553 Kent Chevalier is the team chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Athletes in Action. He was named to his role before the 2019 season.  Prior to his role with the Steelers, Kent has been a pastor for 22 years in the Pittsburgh area. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kent about his role with the Steelers, the improbable story to how he got the title of team chaplain for the team he grew up rooting for, what it means to "fail wonderfully," and the Nicodemus moments he's had with the Pittsburgh players.  Follow Kent on Twitter: @KentChevalier You can sow into the ministry of Kent by checking out his website: TeamChevalier.com 

Episode 552 Donnie Jones is the Stetson Men's Basketball Coach. He was named to his current role in March of 2019. Last season, Donnie led Stetson to 16 victories, a 9-win improvement over the previous season and the most in the country for a first-year head coach. Prior to his current role, Donnie has had head coaching stops at Marshall and Central Florida, and was an assistant coach for 11 seasons with Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators, where he helped lead the club to back-to-back National Championships in 2006 and 2007. On today's podcast, we talked to Donnie about coaching Michael Jordan's sons, developing a culture, coaching in a pandemic and why he's using social media to inspire and encourage.    Follow Donnie on Twitter: @DonnieJones Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Mike Metcalf is a NASCAR pit-crew coach and is presently one of the head coaches for the Chip Ganassi Racing pit crew and fuel man for the No. 42 team. The Charlotte native and former football student-athlete graduated with honors from Appalachian State University. He first entered the world of motorsports in 2006 as a member of a NASCAR Pit Crew. Mike quickly climbed the ranks and started coaching pit crews in addition to competing in 2012. Outside of motorsports, Mike is very active in the community. He serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Rescue Mission.  His new book "12 Second Culture" released in 2020 and is available now.  On today's podcast, Mike Metcalf shares how a former college football player becomes a NASCAR pit-crew coach, why he's passionate about leadership, his favorite NASCAR story and the importance of being an example of Jesus to those who are suffering injustices.    Follow Mike on Instagram: @MrMetcalfJr Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 551 Brian Dawkins is a 9-time Pro Bowl safety with the Eagles and Broncos. He played 13 seasons with Philadelphia from 1996-2008 and three seasons with Denver from 2009-2011.  In 2018, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  His foundation "The Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation" provides inspiration, education and resources to youth, families and communities in need. On this episode of the podcast, Brian joins us to share his powerful testimony of faith, his struggle with depression and suicide, the impact his grandmother made on his life, and the importance of mental health awareness.  Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianDawkins Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum 

Episode 550 Cori Close is the head coach for the UCLA Women's Basketball team. In her nine seasons, she has led the Lady Bruins to three Sweet Sixteens and one Elite Eight appearance. In 2019-2020, UCLA went 25-4 before their season was cut short due to Covid-19.  Prior to her coaching career, Close was a player at UC Santa Barbara (89-93) and was the first player in school history to record more than 1,000 points and 500 assists in a career. In April 2005, Close was inducted into the UC Santa Barbara Athletics Hall of Fame.  On today's podcast, we talk to Cori Close about being a good truth teller, being a fruit bearer, why she decided to do a Proverbs Challenge, her growth as a leader and how her faith guides her as a head coach.   Follow Coach Close on Instagram: @CoachCoriClose   Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 549 Mark Herzlich played seven seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants. He was a member of the 2011 team that won Super Bowl XLVI over the Patriots.  Undrafted in 2011 out of Boston College, Mark was the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and named First-Team All-Amercian at linebacker that same season. In 2009, he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He was able to overcome and return to the football field in 2010, where he won the Rudy Award and the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award after starting 13 games and finishing third on the team in tackles.  Mark retired following the 2017 season and is currently a football analyst with the ACC Network. Today on the podcast, we talk to Mark Herzlich about his incredible story of overcoming cancer, how his faith became real to him in the midst of the cancer diagnosis, and the important role his wife Danielle played in his walk with Christ.    Follow Mark on Instagram: @MarkHerzlich Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

***This interview was recorded on September 15, 2020*** Jack Easterby is the Houston Texans Executive Vice President and manages all football operations and directs the overall culture of the team. Prior to arriving in Houston, Jack was a part of three Super Bowl winning championship teams as a character coach and team chaplain with the New England Patriots.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Jack Easterby about his role with the Texans, what discipleship looks like and why it is important to do the next - right - thing.    Follow Jack on Twitter: @JackEasterby Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 548 Matthew Maher is a living testament to God's second chances. Growing up in New Jersey, Matthew dreamed of being a professional soccer player. After a successful college soccer career at Temple, Matthew achieved that dream and played in the Major Indoor Soccer League.  HIs career would span a couple of seasons but on March 1, 2009, Maher blew out his knee and his career was over. Just six days later, a decision Maher made would change his life forever. On March 7, 2009, Maher was driving drunk when he hit and killed Hort Kap. Maher was sentenced to five and a half years in prison in January 2010. After serving time, Matthew turned his mess into a message and is the founder of TruthoverTrend.com. He's also a teaching pastor at Coastal Christian Church in Ocean City, NJ and is a highly sought after speaker throughout New Jersey.  On this episode of the podcast, Matthew shares his powerful story of soccer, faith, prison and redemption.  Follow Matthew on Twitter: @TruthoverTrend Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 547 Casey Phillips is the team reporter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Her role includes on-camera talent for all Buccaneer TV shows, radio shows, interviews for Buccaneers.com as well as in-stadium host and event emcee.  Prior to her arrival in Tampa in 2015, Casey had broadcasting stops with the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, St. Louis Rams and Walt Disney World. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Masters of Arts in Broadcast Management.  On today's podcast, we talk to Casey about her unique role with the Buccaneers, interviewing Tom Brady for the first time, her favorite Disney World restaurants and how her faith in Jesus Christ has been the guiding point on her journey.  Follow Casey on Twitter: @CaseyReporting Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum For more stories of sports and faith, check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 546 Sam Acho has played nine seasons in the NFL with the Buccaneers, Bears, Cardinals and Bills. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals after playing his college football at the University of Texas. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and spent four seasons with the Cardinals before signing with the Bears in 2015. He played four seasons in Chicago and after a brief stint with Buffalo and the latter part of 2019 with Tampa.  Sam is now an author and his new book "Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes" releases October 13, 2020.  On today's podcast, we talk to Sam about the process of writing his first book, why we're all worth getting to know, how to be be real in a world of fakes, the story of meeting President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush and why he's grieving for our country right now.  Follow Sam on Instagram: @TheSamAcho Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum