Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 352 Corey Miller played 9 seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings from 1991-1998. He was selected in the 6th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Giants and played with guys like Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor and Michael Strahan during his eight years with the G-Men.  Corey's son Christian played college football at Alabama with Nick Saban and in April, Corey watched Christian become an NFL player, selected in the 4th round of the NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.  Corey is currently a speaker and evangelist who goes by the nickname "The Pastor of Pain." On this episode, Miller shares the emotions he felt watching his son get selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, the toughest part of being an NFL player with a son also playing football, his testimony of faith in Christ and how his life was transformed from just believing in God to surrendering to Jesus as Savior and Lord.  For more info, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

On this throwback edition of the podcast, we bring you a conversation with 3-time Super Bowl champion and FOX Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlereth.   Mark played 12 seasons in the NFL from 1989-2000 with the Redskins and Broncos. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion, winning one ring with Washington and two with Denver.   After retirement in 2001, he joined ESPN, where he would work as an analyst until departing in June 2017 for a new opportunity with FOX Sports.   Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Schlereth attended the University of Idaho on a football scholarship. After his college career ended, he was selected in the 10th round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins and head coach Joe Gibbs.   Known as “Stink” to many of his friends, Schlereth wears many titles in his life, including husband, father, grandfather, actor, entrepreneur, morning radio host and television analyst.   You can listen to the entire interview with Mark parts 1 and 2 here --> (Episode 126 and Episode 127) or by searching his name on iTunes/Apple podcasts and Spotify. 

Episode 351 Cathy Parker had no idea her life was about to change until an ESPN feature about a football team from the Arctic Circle lit a fire in her soul that she could not ignore. A stirring within her to help the Barrow Whalers football team in a struggling community in Barrow, Alaska, almost 4,000 miles away from her home in Jacksonville, Florida, started a nationwide movement that raised over half a million dollars to build an artificial-turf stadium for a team that needed it.  On this episode of the podcast, we learn about Cathy and how her faith in Christ led her to give back and help tiny Barrow, Alaska. Overcoming obstacle after obstacle, Cathy Parker stayed the course and ultimately changed the lives of so many people, including herself. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 350 Bradley Pinion is the punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the only punter selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. The 49ers chose him with their 5th round selection.  The Clemson alum led the NFL in punts in 2016 with 100 and has a career 43.7 yards per punt in his four NFL seasons. In March of 2019, Pinion signed a four-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  On this episode of the podcast, Bradley Pinion shares his incredibly powerful testimony and the amazing story that drew him closer to the Lord and led him to making the decision to play college football at Clemson. He also talks about leaving early for the NFL Draft and betting on himself as he trusted in God.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 349 Blake Anderson was named Arkansas State's head football coach on Dec. 19, 2013. Anderson has led A-State to five consecutive winning seasons, five straight bowl game appearances (2018 Arizona Bowl, 2017 Camellia Bowl, 2016 Cure Bowl, 2015 New Orleans Bowl and 2014 GoDaddy Bowl) and back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships in 2015 and 2016 his initial five seasons at the helm.   Prior to his arrival at Arkansa State, Anderson spent the previous two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at North Carolina, where he helped lead the Tar Heels to an Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division title in 2012 and the Belk Bowl in 2013.  Under Anderson’s direction, North Carolina averaged 432.4 total yards per game in 2013 after setting the school record the previous year with 485.6 yards per contest.  Prior to his arrival in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels had not averaged 400 yards in a season since 1993. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Blake about preparing for the 2019 season, what he's learned since becoming a head coach six years ago, where his faith began to take shape, coaching for a greater purpose and how his wife's battle with breast cancer has impacted his faith and finding joy in difficult circumstances.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 348 Brandon Williams plays defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. Williams was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by Baltimore (94th overall) and has been a mainstay on the defensive line for the Ravens for the past 6 years.  In 2017, Brandon signed a 5-year contract extension and in 2018 was named to his first Pro Bowl. On this episode of the podcast, Brandon shares his emotional story of overcoming obstacles in college to reach the NFL and forming a deep connection with God.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

On this throwback edition of the podcast, we look back to April 2018, Episode 103 and our conversation with NFL linebacker Thomas Davis.  Thomas is a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the Carolina Panthers. He was the 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and played in Super Bowl 50 with Carolina. Selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by Carolina, Davis played the first 14 seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers. In March of 2019, he signed a deal to play with the Los Angeles Chargers.   On this podcast, we hear from Thomas about growing up in small-town Georgia and why not having a dad in his life as a kid has formed how he parents and loves his own children. You can listen to the entire interview with Thomas from Episode 103 here or by searching his name on iTunes, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or anywhere else podcasts are found. 

Episode 347 Jim Leyritz played 11 years in the Major Leagues with the Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Padres and Dodgers. Known for his versatility, Leyritz played catcher, first base, third base and the outfield.  He was undrafted after playing his college ball at Kentucky and was signed by the New York Yankees as a free agent in 1985. Five years later, he made his New York Yankees debut on June 8, 1990. During his time with the Bronx Bombers, Leyritz hit two of the most memorable home runs in Yankees playoff history. In 1995, he hit a walk-off 15th inning home run in the 1995 Divisional Series against Seattle at Yankee Stadium to give New York a 7-5 win. One year later, in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series, Leyritz hit a game-tying three-run home run off the Braves closer Mark Wohlers that would catapult the Yankees to three straight wins and their first championship in 18 years.  After 1996, Leyritz would play for four different teams including the Angels and Rangers in 1997 along with the Red Sox and Padres in 1998. He would return to the World Series in 1998 with San Diego and again in 1999, winning his second ring with the Yankees. Jim's journey after baseball is one of fame, tragedy, redemption and faith. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jim Leyritz about his baseball success, winning two World Series titles, his post-baseball troubles away from the field, and finding freedom in Christ after returning to church in California.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 346 Danielle Scott is one of the most decorated female volleyball players of all-time. In 1993, she was the National Player of the Year and national champion with Long Beach State. A two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, she participated in five Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012). She holds the U.S. Female Volleyball athlete record for Olympic apperances and was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2016. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Danielle about her storied volleyball career and participating in the Olympics. The conversation then takes a turn as we discuss the very tragic events that occurred in November of 2018 when Danielle's sister Stefanie was killed by her estranged husband. Danielle was present that day and suffered wounds to both of her palms and her left thigh, knee and lower leg. We hear Danielle's emotional story of forgiveness, pain, and trusting in God throughout this very difficult season of life. 

Episode 345 Mike Donehey is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the award-winning Christian rock band Tenth Avenue North. Since 2000, he has been sharing the truth of the gospel in front of millions of people through song and speaking. Mike was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up a sports fan. Music wasn't on the radar. Starring on the soccer team at his high school in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Mike and his two teammates were driving to a game in September of 1998 when his Honda swerved out of control, flipped several times and crashed into a tree. Mike's injuries were numerous, a fractured skull, fractured vertebrae, 96 stitches, five days in intensive care and was told he would never walk again.  Two months later, Mike proved the doctors wrong and was up and moving and walking again. It was during that time in his recovery that he picked up a guitar for the first time and discovered a love for music that has taken him down a road he has remained on for the past 20 years.  In August of 2019, Mike released his first book, "Finding God's Life For My Will" where he shares his life story and shows why it is important to see God as the plan for our life, not as the formula to the plan. Tenth Avenue North is also releasing their new album "No Shame" on August 2, 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Mike about why he decided to write his first book, his love for sports, being "sort of" famous, being applauded for showing up to work and why he's not a fan of the term "leader."  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com