Sports Spectrum Podcast

Kevin Byard is entering his sixth season as a safety in the NFL. He was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by Tennessee and in his second year, was named First-Team All-Pro after leading the league in interceptions. From 2017 through 2019, Byard led the NFL with 17 interceptions. In college at Middle Tennessee State, Byard set school records with 19 career interceptions, 377 interception return yards and four interception returns for touchdowns. He finished sixth in MTSU history with 312 career tackles. Today on the podcast, Kevin Byard talks with his former teammate Wesley Woodyard and podcast host Jason Romano about the upcoming season, his love for Jesus and how his faith has helped him grow as a player, a person and a leader.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Today on the podcast, we talk to our Managing Editor Jon Ackerman to preview our 2021 Fall edition of Sports Spectrum's magazine featuring stories on Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, Liberty QB Malik Willis, and Broncos O-Lineman Dalton Risner.  --- Sign up here and subscribe to our Sports Spectrum Magazine for just $18 (One-Year Subscription) or $30 (Two-Year Subscription) and you'll also receive a digital version of the magazine for free. 

Mac Powell is a singer/songwriter who spent three decades as the co-founder and lead singer of the Grammy winning Christian band Third Day. The band has sold over seven million albums in the United States and had 28 number one Christian Album chart radio hits.  In 2018, Third Day disbanded and Mac is now operating as a solo artist. He released two solo Country albums in 2012 and 2014 and his first Christian solo album, "New Creation" is releasing in October. Powell will be back on tour this Fall (Sept-Nov) with Steven Curtis Chapman and in December with Casting Crowns. More info on touring dates can be found at MacPowell.com. Today on the podcast, we talk to Mac Powell about his love for Alabama football, his pivot away from Third Day, recording his new solo album and his love for The Beatles.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Scottie Graham is a former NFL running back who is currently the running backs coach at the University of Arizona. After a stellar college career at Ohio State, he was selected in the 7th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. After one season in Pittsburgh and then then a stint with the Jets, he signed with the Vikings and played four seasons in Minnesota and led the club in rushing in 1993. He finished his NFL career with the Bengals in 1997 and in six seasons as a running back in the NFL, he had zero fumbles.  Following his playing career, Scottie went to work with the NFL's Players Association and served with them for 16 years. He spent the past 6 years with Arizona State as lead administrator for student-athlete development and welfare. In 2021, he was took a role with the University of Arizona as their running backs coach. This is his first coaching job in football. On today's podcast, we talk to Scottie about his new role at the University of Arizona, the importance of good energy, having peace of mind, the importance of standards over rules, and his testimony of faith in Jesus Christ.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Chase Griffin is a quarterback at UCLA. In 2020, he saw his first game action for the Bruins and finished the season completing 64.5% of his passes, 451 yards and 6 TD. In his first 2 years at UCLA, he was able to obtain his BA in Public Affairs and in 2021, earned the Chancellor's Service Award, the highest leadership and service award for students at UCLA.  In 2014, Griffin was first thrusted upon the public stage when he was featured on ESPN.com as "QB most likely to succeed." His high school career saw him attend Hutto High School in Hutto, TX. In 2018, he was named the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and passed for 4,051 yards and 51 touchdowns.  On today's podcast, Chase shares how he was able to obtain a Bachelor's Degree at UCLA in 2 years, his desire to be a life-long learner, having ESPN feature him at 13 years old and how God has guided him in his football journey.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Jerry Csaki is the Director of Youth and Education at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  In October 2020, Jerry almost died. But God brought him back and today he shares his incredible story on the podcast.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

James Laurinaitis played eight seasons in the NFL with the Rams and Saints. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft after a decorated college career at Ohio State that saw him win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2007 and 2008.  After his retirement in 2017, James has entered the broadcasting world and is now calling football games for the Big Ten Network and co-hosting a radio show on The Fan 97.1 FM in Columbus, Ohio.  Today on the podcast, we talk to James about the death of his famous WWE father Joe (Road Warrior Animal), how his relationship with Christ has helped him in the grieving process, and the importance of community and friendships in the body of Christ.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Clayton Carlin is the defensive coordinator for Sam Houston State's football team. In 2020, he led the Bearkats to the FCS national championship finishing with a perfect 10-0 record.  Carlin's defense led all of the FCS with 23 takeaways and 14 fumble recoveries and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher over 22 consecutive games dating back to 2019.  With previous coaching stints at Coastal Carolina, Bucknell, New Mexico State, Villanova and Buffalo, Carlin's coaching career has spanned over 25 years.   Today on the podcast, we talk to Clayton Carlin about winning a 2020 FCS national title in May 2021, the adjustments made in coaching during a pandemic, how his faith in Christ has guided him as a coach, husband and father and what he learned from legendary Nebraska football coach Tom Osbourne early in his career.  --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

NFL Columnist Jarrett Bell has covered pro football for USA TODAY Sports since 1993. He previously served as a contributor at ESPN (2013-2017), primarily featured as a panelist on the former “NFL Insiders” show and “SportsCenter.” He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee since 1997 and was also tapped to participate on a blue-ribbon panel that selected the NFL’s Centennial Team. Jarrett's first job in the NFL was working with the Dallas Cowboys as a writer in the mid-1980's.  On today's podcast, Jade McCarthy talks to Jarrett about his prestigious writing career, how coach Tony Dungy has helped him in his journey of faith and the importance of loving and forgiving others.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Joel Penner is the head coach of Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. In 2020, he led Dordt to a program best 8-3 record and a spot in the NAIA playoffs. His offense scored more than 40 points in 8 of 11 games last season.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Joel about the unique culture that exists at Dordt, what it means to coach for transformation and the DEFENDER WAY. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.