Sports Spectrum Podcast

James Laurinaitis was a 3-time consensus All-American linebacker at the Ohio State University. He was selected 35th overall in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. His Dad, Joe was one half of "The Road Warriors" wrestling duo in the WWE, and WCW.  James is the only player ever to win two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards.  In April of 2017, James announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 30.  On this episode of the podcast, James shares with us why he chose to retire at 30 years old, what it was like growing up with a Dad as a professional wrestler, what the morning after an NFL game feels like from a pain perspective, and what he plans to do following retirement.  You can partner with us for $36 a year (just $3 a month) and become a member of the Sports Spectrum family. Sign up now by clicking the “SUBSCRIBE” link at the top of SportsSpectrum.com and receive our quarterly magazine as well as digital access to over 30 years of content produced by Sports Spectrum.

Ikki Soma is the pastor of Pastor City of Refuge Church in Houston, Texas. He is also one of the team chaplains for the NBA's Houston Rockets. On this episode of the podcast, we talked with Pastor Ikki about the devastation that is occurring in the city of Houston, and how we all can partner together to help those that are in need. To help donate and be part of the recovery process, visit http://CityofRefuge.org and click the donate button at the top of the right hand page and put "Harvey Relief" --- 100% of the proceeds to help those displaced and in need of food, shelter and other necessities. 

Chris Maragos is a safety and special teams ace with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played 3 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, winning a Super Bowl in 2013 before signing a 3-year deal in March of 2014 to come to Philadelphia. In November of 2016, Maragos signed a 3-year $6 million extension, keeping him with the Eagles through 2019. Ted Winsley is in his 17th season as the team chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the senior pastor at "Family Church" in New Jersey and continues to minister to the Eagles players spiritual needs throughout the year.  On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Maragos and Winsley and talk about Chris' crazy journey to the NFL, why Maragos chose to leave the Seahawks after winning a Super Bowl with them, how members of the team came to the decision to be baptized at the Eagles team facility last October, and why Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz doesn't just help the team on the field, but even more importantly, off the field.  You can partner with us for $36 a year (just $3 a month) and become a member of the Sports Spectrum family. Sign up now by clicking the “SUBSCRIBE” link at http://SportsSpectrum.com. 

Anquan Boldin is a former NFL wide receiver, who played 14 seasons. On Sunday August 20, 2017, Boldin announced his retirement from Pro Football, just 13 days after signing a 1-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. “Football has afforded me a platform throughout my career to have a greater impact on my humanitarian work, and at this time, I feel drawn to make the larger fight for human rights a priority,” Boldin said in a statement to ESPN's Jim Trotter. “My life’s purpose is bigger than football.” The 3-time Pro Bowler had a wonderful career, finishing with 1,076 receptions, 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns. He played in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVII as a member of the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. His foundation, "Q81" was formed in 2004 to help expand educational and life opportunities for underprivileged children. On this episode of the podcast, in a very real, and raw conversation, we talk to Anquan about his decision to retire, what role faith played in making that decision, his reaction to the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia and what happens next now that he is no longer playing in the NFL. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can partner with us for $36 a year (just $3 a month) and become a member of the Sports Spectrum family. Sign up now by clicking the “SUBSCRIBE” link at the top of http://SportsSpectrum.com and receive our quarterly magazine as well as digital access to over 30 years of content produced by Sports Spectrum.

Lance Berkman played 15 seasons as a Major League Baseball Player with the Astros, Yankees, Cardinals and Rangers. He was selected to play in 6 MLB All-Star Games and played in two World Series with the Astros in 2005, and the Cardinals in 2011.  He was a key contributor to the St. Louis Cardinals winning the 2011 World Series where he hit .417 with 11 hits, 9 runs scored, and a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to stave off elimination and eventually help the Cards beat the Rangers in Game 6 and eventually win it all.  A husband to Cara, and a Dad to four daughters, Berkman is currently working with former teammate and friend, Andy Pettitte, the longtime Yankees pitcher, where they both coach high school baseball for Second Baptist School in Houston.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Lance Berkman about his experience coaching high school baseball, how he lived out his faith in Christ as an MLB player, what being drafted by the Houston Astros meant, if he ever struggled with identity during his career, and what it was like to play in that memorable 2011 Game 6 World Series matchup vs the Texas Rangers.  You can partner with us for $36 a year (just $3 a month) and become a member of the Sports Spectrum family. Sign up now by clicking the “SUBSCRIBE” link at http://SportsSpectrum.com

Kelli Masters is an NFL Player Agent representing numerous clients throughout Pro Football. She is a former National Champion and Five-time World Champion Baton Twirler who graduated with honors from Law School at the University of Oklahoma. Kelli was also voted Miss Oklahoma in 1997 and competed in the Miss America Pageant that same year.  She has developed a solid reputation and a vast network of professional relationships including coaches, owners, managers, and scouts from all 32 NFL Clubs, as well as the NFLPA. On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Kelli about being a female working in a male dominated field, what her faith in Christ means to her, how she brings her faith into her job everyday, whether she has lost a client due to her gender, and why her identity isn't found in her job as an agent.  You can partner with us for just $36 a year (just $3 a month) and become a member of the Sports Spectrum family. Sign up now at http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Chad Hennings played nine seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He won 3 Super Bowls and played on 7 playoff teams. Prior to his NFL career, Chad served at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he had a fantastic college career, winning the 1987 Outland Trophy and being named an All-American. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Hennings served four years in the Air Force before his NFL career. He flew dozens of combat and humanitarian missions over Iraq and Turkey in A-10 jets. Chad is the author of three books including his latest, "Forces of Character: Conversations About Building a Life of Impact." His ministry Wingmen gathers men with the purpose of forming transparent, Christ-centered, masculine relationships. At Wingmen, they offer men acceptance, affirmation and accountability. On this episode of the podcast, Chad shares his story of why he entered the United States Air Force, his journey to the NFL, winning 3 Super Bowls with the Cowboys, and his desire to use his platform and his faith to impact the lives of men. For more, check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com  

Bo Mitchell is the team chaplain and senior advisor for the Colorado Rockies. Prior to his work with the Rockies, Bo served as the team chaplain for the NBA's Denver Nuggets.  Surprised by a baffling criminal charge after helping some friends with a business loan, Bo inexplicably wound up in federal prison. At the same time, his wife was dealing with a sudden brain illness.  On this episode of the podcast, we hear Bo's story of growing up the son of a Major League Baseball player, his journey as an NBA chaplain, inviting Dennis Rodman to chapel, how he ended up in prison and the inspiring story of discovering and trusting God's path to real freedom. 

Matt Forte is entering his 10th NFL season in 2017. He was selected in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Bears. He spent 8 years in Chicago before signing a deal with the New York Jets. Forte is a two-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for almost 9,500 yards in his 10-year career.  In 2014, Matt became the second player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 100 receptions in the same season. (LaDanian Tomlinson in 2003 was the first to ever do it) Married to his wife Danielle and Father to Nala and Matthew, Forte is a believer in Jesus who believes in giving back to the community.  In 2013, he and Danielle established The Matt Forte “What’s Your Forte?” Foundation after learning that 14.7 % of Chicago’s high school dropouts were incarcerated, and nearly 42,000 teens did not receive high school diplomas. You can learn more about Matt's foundation at http://WhatsyourForte.org In this episode of the podcast, Matt shares about the NFL transition from Chicago to New York, where his faith in Jesus began, why using his platform to point people back to Jesus is important to him, and what it means to be a husband and a Dad.  To become a member and partner with us, sign up at http://SportsSpectrum.com. 

Robby is the Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church.  For three years, he battled a drug addiction that ravaged his life. A $180 a day heroine and cocaine addiction forced him to steal $15,000 from his parents. After living without gas, electricity, and water for months, losing 8 of his friends to drug related deaths, watching 6 friends arrested, and completing two rehab treatments, Robby remembered the gospel that was shared with him by a friend in college and was radically saved on November 12, 2002. Eight months later, David Platt, a seminary student and church member at the time, asked Robby to meet weekly for accountability, prayer, and bible study. For the next 2 years, David installed a passion for missions, expository preaching, and disciple-making in his life. He also encouraged Robby to go back to school to pursue theological education. Robby completed his Masters of Divinity Degree in Expository Preaching in 2007 and his Ph.D. in Preaching in 2011 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Today, Robby’s passion is to share the gospel with everyone and “make disciples who make disciples.” In addition to his leadership at Long Hollow, Robby is also the founder of Replicate Ministries and the author of several books, including his latest "The Forgotten Jesus." On this episode of the podcast, Robby shares his incredible story of restoration from a life of addiction, how he became a pastor, his love for MMA, the culture of sports and faith and his passion to see disciples of Jesus making disciples of Jesus.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com