Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 154 In March of 2018, Trey Burton signed a 4-year deal with the Chicago Bears to be their starting tight end. One month earlier, he helped facilitate the biggest play in Philadelphia Eagles history, the "Philly Special" where he threw a touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles in helping his team defeat the Patriots 41-33 and winning the first Super Bowl in Philadelphia history. Today, on the field, Burton is focused on his new role as tight end with the Chicago Bears. On September 17, he scored his first touchdown as a Bear on Monday Night Football, helping Chicago to a 24-17 win over the Seahawks. Burton, a contributor to Sports Spectrum's The Increase, announced on Monday September 17 that he would donate $1000 for every reception he makes and $2000 for every touchdown he scores to the International Justice Mission to help combat human trafficking and sex slavery. On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Trey about transitioning from Philly to Chicago, what faith looks like in the locker room of the Bears as compared to the Eagles, battling anxiety, and why he's so passionate about bringing awareness to human trafficking. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 153 Allan Houston played 13 seasons in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. He was selected in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft by Detroit (11th overall) out of the University of Tennessee. During his playing career, Allan was a member of 2 NBA All-Star teams as well playing on the 2000 USA Basketball Gold Medal winning team in Sidney, Australia. His number 20 is retired by Tennessee.  Upon retirement, Allan is still involved in the NBA working with the Knicks in their front office as an Assistant General Manager as well as the GM of their NBA G-League team, the Westchester Knicks.  A husband and father to seven children, Allan is heavily involved in his Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, FISLL, a legacy-building platform that teaches & ingrains the core fundamentals of life: FAITH, INTEGRITY, SACRIFICE, LEADERSHIP & LEGACY in daily living.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Allan about the changing landscape of the NBA, the dangers of social media, spiritual battles he faced during his playing career and why his faith fuels him to give back through his foundation. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 152 Mohamed Massaquoi was the second round pick for the Cleveland Browns in the 2009 NFL draft where he recorded two 100-yard receiving games his rookie year, the first Browns rookie to have two or more such games in a season since 1999.  Before joining the NFL, Mohamed earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology taking only 3.5 years from the University of Georgia where he was named the 2008 team captain, selected as a first-team All-Southeastern Conference and Academic All-SEC member, and received the team's Leon Farmer Award for his dedication to the strength and conditioning program and academics.  Mohamed attended Independence High School helping his team win 77 consecutive games and capture four consecutive North Carolina state 4A championships while setting the North Carolina state prep records for career receiving yards, receiving yards (4,851) in a season (2004), touchdown catches in a career (76), and touchdown catches in a season (32 as a senior).  In Spring 2017, while riding ATVs with friends Mohamed, was involved in a an accident that resulted in the amputation of four fingers, leaving his thumb intact.  Since retiring from the NFL, Mohamed has worked at Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor and is currently a speaker and advocate for fitness, athletes in business, and amputee causes. On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Mohamed about his faith in Christ, how he handled losing in college after winning every game he played in high school, adjusting to life without football and how the accident he suffered with an ATV changed his perspective on life and made him grateful to God.  For more on Mohamed, check out his website at MohamedMassaquoi.com. Check out http://SportsSpectrum.com for more content on the intersection of sports and faith. 

Episode 151 Jonathan Isaac was selected 6th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He played one season of college basketball at Florida State where he was a member of the All-ACC Freshman Team.  During his rookie year in the NBA, injuries limited him to just 27 games where averaged 5.4 points per game.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Jonathan about preparing for his second NBA season, what he learned in his rookie year, growing up with 5 siblings, how basketball and a Bible verse in the book of Luke led him to rededicating his life to Christ, why finding a church was important to him, and the crazy story of how he came to preach last year.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 150 Miles McPherson was selected in the 10th round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. After being released, he was picked up by the San Diego Chargers, where he would play 4 seasons as a defensive back. During his time as a player, Miles became a follower of Jesus Christ, a decision that would eventually lead him to becoming a pastor. For the past 18 years, he has been the Sr. Pastor and founder of the "Rock Church" in San Diego, CA.  Miles is author of the new book "The Third Option: Hope For a Racially Divided Nation." On this episode of the podcast, Miles shares his journey from football player to pastor and coming to Christ during his playing career after being stuck in a world of drugs and addiction. We also talk to Miles about his new book, the segregation of the church, athletes using their voice to protest and why HONOR is something that can help so many of us find common ground as we look to be united and not divided. For more log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com  

Episode 149 Matthew Hasselbeck played 18 seasons in the NFL with the Packers, Seahawks, Titans and Colts. He's a 3-time Pro Bowler who led Seattle to their first ever Super Bowl appearance in 2005.  In 2016, he announced his retirement from the NFL and signed a deal with ESPN, where he currently serves as an NFL analyst for the sports network.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Matt about what he misses most about playing, raising 3 teenagers and being present in their lives during a hectic NFL season, how he stays grounded in his faith, being opinionated as an analyst and the transition to being home more now that he's been retired for 3 years.  Matt was heard in Episode 2 of our podcast when he appeared with Texas pastor Matt Chandler and discussed faith and gave their Christian testimonies.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 148 LaDainian Tomlinson is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He came into the league as the 5th overall selection by the Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft. During his time in San Diego, he would be selected to 5 Pro Bowls, set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns and win the 2006 NFL MVP. He played his final two seasons with the New York Jets before retiring in 2012. He was named to the NFL 2000's All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He currently is an analyst for NFL Network, but is now also a movie star, making his big screen debut in the new film "GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD" releasing in theaters on Friday September 7, 2018. On this episode of the podcast, LaDainian Tomlinson talks about his movie debut, whether he would ever become a pastor someday, where his faith in Christ was rooted, what he misses most about playing in the NFL and how he stayed grounded during his 12 year Hall of Fame career. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 147 Eddie Taubensee played 11 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Indians, Astros and Reds from 1991-2001. He made his MLB debut on May 18, 1991 with Cleveland and was then traded to the Astros the following season. He would play for 3 years until 1994 when he was again traded, this time to the Reds.  Taubensee would play 7 seasons in Cincinnati, where he would hit a career-high .311 with 21 home runs and 87 RBI for a Reds team in 1999 that fell one game short of the playoffs.  After retiring from baseball in 2001, Eddie decided to make God and his family the priority. Along with his wife Renee, he would help raise their 3 boys and go into baseball ministry with Pro Athletes Outreach.  In 2017, he returned to pro ball as the hitting coach of the San Francisco Giants Class A affiliate Augusta Greenjackets in the South Atlantic League.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Eddie Taubensee about baseball ministry, trying his hand at coaching, why Barry Larkin was the best leader he ever played with, how baseball helped led him to Christ, and how he navigated through temptations and trials as a believer.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 146 Hugh Freeze is the former head coach of the Ole Miss football team. In 2017, Freeze resigned from his position amid an NCAA investigation and evidence of personal misconduct. Freeze coached the Bulldogs from 2012-2016 where he led his club to a 2016 Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Last year, he appeared on the Sports Spectrum podcast and shared his journey of coaching.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Hugh Freeze in the aftermath of resigning from Ole Miss in 2017 about redemption, empathy, forgiveness, repentance and walking through a difficult season of life with his wife and family as a person of faith. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com   

Episode 145 John Carney kicked in the NFL for 23 years from 1988 to 2010.  A graduate of Notre Dame, he began his kicking journey in 1987 with the Cincinnati Bengals before being released prior to the start of the season. 1988 is when he saw his first official NFL game action with Tampa. In 1990, he signed a contract with the San Diego Chargers, where he would remain for 11 seasons. After his time was up with the Chargers, he would go on to play 6 seasons with the Saints (01-06) and then finish his career with Jacksonville, the New York Giants and then back with the Saints before retiring in 2010.  He's currently fifth all-time on the NFL career scoring list (2,044 points) and was the last remaining player from the 1980's still active in professional football. On this episode of the podcast, John shares when his kicking journey began, whether he could still kick for an NFL team today at the age of 54, how his faith in Christ took shape, kicking at Notre Dame, and embracing his role today as a mentor to the next generation. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com