Sports Spectrum Podcast

Today on the podcast, our Sports Spectrum Managing Editor Jon Ackerman joins host Jason Romano to preview the 2022 Summer edition of the Sports Spectrum Magazine with Mallory Pugh, Sydney McLaughlin and Tori Dilfer on the cover. SIGN UP HERE for Sports Spectrum Magazine. Use the code SS15OFF to save 15% on a one-year subscription. 

Don Davis played 11 years in the NFL with the Buccaneers, Patriots, Saints and Rams. During his time in New England, Davis won two Super Bowls in 2001 and 2003. He is currently the Senior Director of Player Affairs for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and is responsible for advancing and overseeing the management of varying aspects of player labor issues. Today on the podcast, Don Davis shares his powerful testimony of faith in Christ and what it was like to play for Hall of Fame coaches Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy. He is currently the Senior Director of Player Affairs for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and is responsible for advancing and overseeing the management of varying aspects of player labor issues. Today on the podcast, Don Davis shares his powerful testimony of faith in Christ and what it was like to play for Hall of Fame coaches Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Bay Forrest is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1977-1979. He was selected in the second round of the 1976 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics but never played with the franchise, choosing instead to play the 1976-77 season with Athletes in Action before making his NBA debut in 1977 with the Phoenix Suns. Forrest was actually selected two other times by the NBA's Phoenix Suns in 1975 and the ABA's San Antonio Spurs in 1975 but turned them both down to play his senior season in college at Grand Canyon University where he was a three-time NAIA All-American. After his playing career, Bay founded Focus Ministries and for over thirty years, has been in ministry and spoken all across the US and around the world sharing his story and pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus. Today on the podcast, we talk to Bay Forrest about his basketball journey, getting dunked on by Julius Erving, the desire to go into ministry and what it means to step our in faith. Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Helen Maroulis is an Olympic gold medal winning wrestler. In 2016, she became the first ever American to win a gold medal in women's freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games. In 2021, she was back in the Olympics and became the first wrestler in women's wrestling for the USA to win two Olympic medals by taking home the Bronze.  Maroulis was born in Rockville, Maryland and attended Magruder High School for three years, where as a freshman she became the first female wrestler to place at the Maryland state wrestling championships and at the age-group level, Maroulis was a three-time Junior World medalist (bronze in 2008 & 2010, silver in 2011). Today on the podcast, we talk to Helen about her new documentary "Helen|Believe," staying humble, finding joy in the difficult times, why starting a prayer journal helped her grow closer to God and learning to play the harp.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Tim Schurrer spent almost a decade of his career launching two brands— StoryBrand and Business Made Simple—as COO alongside New York Timesbestselling author Donald Miller. Before that Tim worked at TOMS as well as Apple Inc. He is the host of the Build a Winning Teampodcast, where he offers listeners actionable advice as he interviews some of the top leaders in business. His new book "The Secret Society of Success" is avaialble now.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Damontre Moore is a professional player who was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He spent three seasons with the Giants and then would be a part of nine different franchises over the next six years including the Cowboys, Raiders, 49ers, Seahawks, Dolphins, Colts and Panthers.  In college at Texas A&M, Damontre was a standout linebacker who was a consensus first-team All-American and first-team All SEC selection with 12.5 sacks in his junior year of 2012.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Damontre about his relationship with Jesus, how he's grown as a man during the ups and downs of his pro career, his desire to continue to play football and his encouragement for young players coming into the league.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Griff Aldrich is the head coach of the Longwood men's basketball team. In 2021-22, Aldrich helped lead the Lancers to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance and a Big South Conference championship. For his efforts, Aldrich was named the 2022 Big South Coach of the Year.  Prior to arriving at Longwood in 2018, Aldrich was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland-Baltimore Country, where he helped that team pull off the biggest upset in the history of the NCAA Tournament when his No. 16 seeded club beat No. 1 Virginia.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Griff Aldrich about leading his team to their first ever March Madness appearance, what he learned through the successful season, his incredible story of going from lawyer to college basketball coach and the evolution of his faith in Jesus Christ.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Mallory Pugh is a professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She's also a member of the United State women's national soccer team and in 2016, became the youngest female player to be selected and play for the U.S. national team during an Olympic qualifying tournament.  As a member of the US national soccer team, she participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and scored her first Olympic goal against Columbia and made her the youngest player to ever score a goal for the United States in an Olympic game. She also participated at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019.  Today on the podcast, Jon Ackerman talks to Mallory Pugh about her recent engagement to Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, why 2021 was a year of growth in her relationship with God, what discipleship looks like for her and her desire to continue to play soccer at the highest level.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

David Morales is the author of the new book "American Familia." Growing up in a poor, mountainous region of Puerto Rico, David had no idea he would end up where he is today: an executive shaping the future of healthcare and public policy in America and a father dedicated to faith, family, and community. Alongside his wife, Samanda, he co-founded Ahora Inc., a not-for-profit dedicated to empowering working-class families and low-income individuals to build self-reliance through financial literacy, money management, and wealth building.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Demario Davis is a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Demario would go on to play the next seven seasons with the Jets (2012-2015, 2017) and the Browns (2016). In 2018, he signed with the Saints and has been a starting linebacker for New Orleans ever since.  Since arriving to New Orleans, Davis was named First-Team All-Pro in 2019 and Second-Team All-Pro twice in 2020 and 2021. Demario is also an author and his book "The Unsuccessful Champion" was released in October 2019.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Demario Davis about the evolution of his playing career, almost retiring five years ago, missing his first ever NFL game in 2021, trusting in God and what it means to truly surrender his entire life to the Lord.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.