Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 389 Robby Rowland is a professional baseball player. He was selected in the third round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks (88th overall). Since being drafted, Robby has spent his entire 9 year career in the minor leagues playing for 13 different teams. His story is ongoing as he suffered a torn lat arm injury in July of 2018 and is currently rehabbing with the hopes of someday reaching his dream of pitching in the Major Leagues. Putting his analyst hat on, Robby has shared his baseball insights on social media and the podcast that he hosts called "The Robby Row Show." On this episode of the podcast, Robby shares his powerful story of coming to faith in 2015, working through arm injuries, the reason he continues to chase his dream of pitching in the Majors, and why he's growing an epic beard. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 388 Jermon Bushrod played 12 years in the NFL with the Saints, Bears and Dolphins. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Saints out of Towson University.  He would spend his first 6 seasons in New Orleans, making two Pro Bowls in 2011 and 2012 as well as helping his team to a Super Bowl championship in 2009.  In 2013, Jermon would sign a new deal with the Bears and play three seasons in Chicago from 2013-2015. In 2016 and 2017, he played with the Miami Dolphins before returning to the Saints for one final season in 2018. In August of 2019, he officially announced his retirement from the NFL. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jermon about his decision to retire, losing the NFC Championship in his final NFL game, where his faith took shape, playing through pain, and how he has moved forward after the loss of his infant daughter in 2018. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 387 Nate Oats is the head coach of the University of Alabama men's basketball program. He came to Tuscaloosa in March after five successful years as the head coach at the University of Buffalo. While in Buffalo, Oats led his club to three NCAA tournament appearances including advancing to the second round in both 2018 and 2019. He is a 2-time MAC Coach of the Year and a winner of 3 MAC Tournament Championships in 2016, 2018 and 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Coach Oats about his decision to come to Alabama, not having to deal with the cold and snow of Buffalo anymore, going from coaching high school basketball to Alabama in just 6 years, how his faith guides him and shapes the way he coaches and why reading through the Bible in a year was important to him.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Darryl Strawberry is an 8-time All-Star and 4-time World Series champion who played 17 MLB seasons with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees. He joined us back in January of 2018, Episode 68 of the podcast to talk about his baseball success, his fall from grace, and the redemption that took place after submitting his life to Christ.  On this throwback edition of the interview, Darryl shares why he is traveling the world and living as an evangelist working for the Lord.  You can listen to the entire interview with Darryl Strawberry by clicking here or by listening everywhere podcasts are found including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. 

Episode 386 Rachael Denhollander’s voice was heard around the world when she spoke out to end the most shocking scandal in US gymnastics history. The first victim to publicly accuse Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who abused hundreds of young athletes, Rachael now reveals her full story for the first time. How did Nassar get away with it for so long? How did Rachael and the other survivors finally stop him and bring him to justice? And how can we protect the vulnerable in our own families, churches, and communities? In September of 2019, Rachael released her book "What Is a Girl Worth?" It is the inspiring true story of Rachael’s journey from an idealistic young gymnast to a strong and determined woman who found the courage to raise her voice against evil, even when she thought the world might not listen. This deeply personal and compelling narrative shines a spotlight on the physical and emotional impact of abuse, why so many survivors are reluctant to speak out, what it means to be believed, the extraordinary power of faith and forgiveness, and how we can learn to do what is right in the moments that matter most. On this episode of the podcast, we hear Rachael share about the power of forgiveness, why she came forward she did, dealing with the aftermath of going public and the advice she has for others in supporting sexual abuse survivors. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 385 Joe Dipenta is a former NHL player. He was selected 61st overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.  Growing up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia (the same hometown as Penguins legend Sidney Crosby), Joe's dream was to play professional hockey and in 2002-2003, he made his NHL debut with the Atlanta Thrashers.  In 2005, Joe became a member of the Anaheim Ducks and just two years later, became a Stanley Cup champion.  Joe also holds the unique distinction of being one of just a handful of players to win a Stanley Cup title and a Calder Cup championship (AHL) as well.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Joe about coming to faith in Christ during his NHL career, his desire to play hockey, how he spent his day with the Stanley Cup and why he walked away from hockey at age 32.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 384 King McClure is a former college basketball player with the Baylor Bears. Coming out of high school, King was ranked the 36th player overall on ESPN's 100 high school list in 2015 but his basketball career almost didn't happen because of a heart ailment. In late September, King signed a deal to become a basketball analyst for ESPN On this episode of the podcast, we learn the basketball journey of King McClure, making the decision to play at Baylor, how his faith helped him through the news of his heart ailment, being told he couldn't play in the NBA, and trusting God through it all.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 383 Melanie Newman is a broadcasting pioneer. She is one of only five women in the nation to call play-by-play for a professional affiliated baseball team.  The versatile talent is the lead broadcaster for the Salem Red Sox (Boston's High A affiliate) and serves as the sideline reporter for Liberty University football games for ESPN plus.  She is a former play-by-play broadcaster for Texas Rangers AA affiliate in Frisco, host for WKSY-TV, Media Communications Coordinator for the Arizona Fall League, announcer, host and correspondent for the Mobile BayBears (ARI-AA), Atlantic Sun Conference and Sun Belt Conference. A Troy University graduate, Melanie majored in Broadcast Journalism and earned a double minor in Leadership Studies and Sports Information. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Melanie about her crazy broadcasting grind, her viral reporting moment at Liberty Football's home opener, being a baseball broadcasting pioneer, encouraging young media professionals and why living for Christ is her greatest goal.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

David Johnson is an NFL running back with the Arizona Cardinals. He was selected in the third round (86th overall) by Arizona in the 2015 NFL Draft.  Today we throw it back to October 2017 and our interview with David on Episode 45 of the podcast where we ask him how his faith grew coming into the league as a rookie.  You can listen to the entire interview with David here, or by searching his name and Sports Spectrum on Apple podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio or everywhere podcasts are found. 

Episode 382 Danny Graves is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1994 MLB Amateur Draft by Cleveland and made his MLB debut two years later with the Indians in July of 1996. He would go on to pitch for ten more years for three different teams, accumulating 182 career saves and two appearances in the MLB All-Star Game (2000, 2004).  Danny is the only Vietnam-born player in the history of Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcasting analyst with the Cincinnati Reds Radio Network.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Danny about being born in Vietnam in 1973, pitching in the steroids era, how his faith helped save him during a difficult time of depression and drugs and his favorite All-Star game memories.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com  You can watch Danny's appearance on HBO's Real Sports by clicking here.