Marcus "Swagu" Spears from NFL to Analyst Talks Cowboys, Celtics & Growth as a Man

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marcus Spears a.k.a “Swagu” joins The Pivot Podcast for a candid conversation covering his faith in God to pressures experienced while playing for the Cowboys to the expectations faced by sports analysts and the challenges men encounter through temptation.

Receiving negative feedback as ESPN analysts for not speaking on the Favre situation, Ryan explains how it’s not his job as a host on a football show to talk about a former player’s off the field business- agreeing with Marcus that as football analysts it’s their job to cover what’s going on with players and football teams who play on Sundays.

Avoiding speculation and understanding that not all the details are public, the guys talk about the Boston Celtics troubling situation involving the head coach and the shadow or casts for the organization, players and fans. And as men of color in power and positions of success, Marcus struggles to understand how and why people fall into these situations to lose everything they’ve worked for over temptation. Channing, Ryan and Fred all agree but also aren’t naive to the actions that led to Udoka’s suspension and the effect it has on the black community, especially females who looked to his partner Nia Long as a queen in their world. The men dive into a deep conversation of infidelity and Marcus opens up about how he is now in a place that he would never go down that road again.

Although stardom was familiar to Marcus, transitioning from college to first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys was challenging on many levels. The guys talk about pressures faced by being drafted early and the environment created by high profile owners such as Jerry Jones and what it’s like to play with a star on your helmet. Marcus shares Joe being deeply rooted in his faith was the only thing that kept him afloat during his career. Admittedly, as a former player and now ESPN analyst- Marcus speaks truthfully that he feels Jerry Jones is intrusive and adds stress to his players. Sharing his most pivotal moment and impact as a man, Marcus touches on his family. Self-aware of how he’s become successful, he pays homage to all those who have cared about him and believed in him along the journey such as his sister, Deidre Spears and how her emotional journey had inspired him the most.

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