Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 413 Ryan Clark played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Giants, Redskins and Steelers from 2002-2014. After going undrafted out of LSU, Ryan was signed by the New York Giants and played there from 2002-2003. In 2004, he signed with the Redskins and played two seasons there before settling in with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would play 8 seasons from 2006-2013.  Ryan's success saw him play in two Super Bowls with the Steelers, winning Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals. In 2011 at the age of 32, Ryan made his first Pro Bowl and four years later, would announce his retirement from the NFL in February of 2015.  He signed on to be an NFL analyst with ESPN in 2015 and continues in that role today on shows such as Get Up, NFL LIVE, First Take and SportsCenter.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Ryan Clark about turning 40 years old, his journey to broadcasting, the evolution of social media, being told he couldn't play in the NFL, and how his faith grew during a health scare in Denver.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 412 Sam Acho is currently a linebacker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals after playing his college football at the University of Texas.  He spent four seasons with Arizona before signing with the Bears in 2015. He would play four seasons with the Bears and after a brief stint with Buffalo, he signed in November with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Sam about his new role with the Buccaneers, finding his value in Christ and not football, getting to know Jesus intimately, writing his first book and how the wisdom of a dying friend changed his life. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Today we bring you a conversation with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Kirk signed the richest contract in NFL history with the Vikings in March of 2018.  Originally drafted by the Redskins, Kirk's final 3 years in Washington saw him pass for over 4,000 yards and was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2016.  On this throwback edition of the podcast, we listen to our conversation with Kirk from April of 2018 as he shares about his faith journey and how he makes Christ, not the NFL, the most important thing in his life.  You can listen to the entire interview from our conversation with Kirk on Episode 96 HERE or by searching his name in the Sports Spectrum podcast archives. 

Episode 411 Jake Sullivan played college basketball at Iowa State from 2000-2004. Starting 115 of the 123 games he played in college, Jake finished his career as the Cyclone's all-time leader in three-pointers made with 270.  In high school, Jake eclipsed 3,000 career points in leading Tartan High to a Class 4A state championship game in 2000.  Currently, he is the student and family pastor at Grace Church in Minnesota. Jake is also the father of six children, 3 biological, 3 adopted including Justice, who is a highly recruited linebacker. On this episode of the podcast, we walk through the journey of Jake Sullivan's life from basketball, to mental illness to adoption and now to ministry.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 410 Kristen Bell is in her ninth season as a Division 1 NCAA Women's Basketball referee. She is also a Sports Dietitian for the Red Bull North America team where she works with professional athletes of all sports.  She has worked with actors on Dancing with the Stars, Los Angeles Lakers, Major League baseball players, Crossfit games athletes, UFC fighters, tennis and golf players, and many others to assist them in their nutrition goals.  On this episode of the podcast, Kristen shares how she became a college basketball referee, what the demands look like during a season, that time she ref'd a game 6 months pregnant, and what she prays for before every single game.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

From the creators of Sports Spectrum comes a brand new podcast --- FOOTBALL SUNDAY.  Subscribe today! Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/football-sunday/id1484216711 You can also subscribe on Spotify, Stitcher and everywhere else podcasts are found. http://footballsunday.libsyn.com/

Episode 409 Turner Ward has been a part of Major League Baseball since making his debut as a player in 1990. He was selected in the 18th round of the 1986 MLB Draft by the Yankees but was traded to the Indians in March of 1989. He would make his debut on September 10, 1990 and play 12 seasons with Cleveland, Toronto, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Arizona and Philadelphia. He retired from playing following the 2001 season.  Ward has two World Series rings during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, when they won back to back championships in 1992 and 1993. Moving into coaching, Turner was the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2013-2015, the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2016-2018 and with the Cincinnati Reds in 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Turner and his wife Donna about their baseball life, coaching, playing, coming to faith and their participation in an IAmSecond.com video as they share on our show how their world was changed when Donna was diagnosed with cancer in 2012.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 408 Matt Adams is a World Series champion. In 2019, he was part of the Washington Nationals team that defeated the Astros in 7 games to win Major League Baseball's championship. Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 23rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, Matt made his MLB debut with the Cards in May of 2012. He would go on to play six seasons in St. Louis, including a World Series appearance in 2013, before moving to the Braves in 2017 and then the Nationals in 2018, back to the Cardinals and then back to the Nationals in 2019. The 2020 free agent is coming off of three straight seasons of hitting at least 20 home runs and is one of the more dangerous power hitting left handed bats in the big leagues. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Matt Adams about winning a World Series, his favorite moment from this season, how God was working in the clubhouse of the Nationals, where his faith journey began, and his desire  for God to lead him in his decision to sign with a team in 2020. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

BONUS EPISODE Patrick Estepp is beginning his 20th season of coaching college basketball at Cedarville University (NCAA Division II). His school is part of both the NCAA and the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association).  In 2019, Coach Estepp was named the NCCAA National Coach of the Year in helping lead his team to the NCCAA National Championship.  He was named the head coach of the team in 2008 and was also a graduate of Cedarville in 1997.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Coach Estepp about his team's motto of "fearing one," preparing for the 2019-20 season, his testimony of faith in Christ, how he stays connected to God during a long season and the challenges in coaching at a Christian organization.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 405 Tim Lopes is an infielder with the Seattle Mariners. He was selected in the 6th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft by the Mariners.  He would spend the next 4 years in the Mariners minor league organization before being traded in September of 2016 to the Toronto Blue Jays organization. After two seasons in the minor leagues with the Blue Jays, he signed a minor league contract to return to the Mariners in November of 2018.  After starting the 2019 season in AAA with Tacoma, Tim was promoted to the Big Leagues and made his Major League debut on July 24. He would remain with the Mariners for the rest of the 2019 season, hitting .270 in 41 games.  On this episode of the podcast, Tim Lopes shares what that experience was like getting called up to the Big Leagues and emotions surrounding that special moment. He also tell us about his faith journey and beginning his walk with Jesus and how he lives that faith out as a pro baseball player everyday.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com