Sports Spectrum Podcast

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 Andre' on Instagram: @1AndreDavis Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

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 lineman.   Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

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 Twitter: @UNFBBALL Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

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 he's found joy amidst the global pandemic.    Follow John on Instagram: @JohnOLeary.Inspires Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum  

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

BONUS EPISODE   Jon Gordon is an author and speaker who has written more than 20 books including "The Energy Bus," "The Power of Positive Leadership" and "The Carpenter."   His latest book is called "The Garden: A Spiritual Fable About Ways to Overcome Fear, Anxiety, and Stress and releases everywhere June 30, 2020.   Gordon and his leadership principles have been featured on the Today Show, CNN, CNBC, the Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Falcons, L.A. Clippers, Miami Heat, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Rams and Clemson football program.   On this episode of the podcast we talk to Jon about his faith fueling him to write his new book "The Garden," the 5 D's that can sabotage us, the audibles Jon has had to call during this pandemic and why it's important for us to not take the "bait of hate."   Follow Jon on Instagram: @JonGordon11 Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 511   Paula Faris is a longtime journalist and current television correspondent for ABC News. She's also the host of the ABC podcast Journeys of Faith. From 2014 to 2018, Faris was co-anchor of Good Morning America Weekend. She also was co-host of The View for seasons 19-21.    Her new book "Called Out" released in April of 2020 and tells the story of Paula climbing the fast track of journalists and working all the way up to anchor on Good Morning America until she decided she needed to pursue her true calling and walk away from her dream jobs.    On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Paula about why she left two dream jobs, what it means to pursue her true calling, her incredible love for Michigan football, the unique bond she had with her father over sports and how she lives out her faith at a large corporation like ABC News.   Follow Paula on Twitter: @PaulaFaris Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum