
Sports Spectrum Podcast
Sports Spectrum is an interview driven podcast hosted by former Chicago Bears Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte.
Each episode, Forte and podcast creator Jason Romano will bring you stories and conversations at the intersection of sports and Jesus.
Latest episodes

Dec 13, 2024 • 45min
Taliyah Brooks - 2024 Olympian on growth in disappointment and leading Bible studies
Taliyah Brooks is a track and field athlete with Team USA. At the 2024 United States Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon, Brooks finished third in the heptathlon with a career-best 6.408 points and qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In college at Arkansas, Brooks won the pentathlon at the 2018 NCAA Division 1 championships.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Taliyah Brooks about her trademark red hair, finding an identity in God, how she has grown amidst athletic disappointment, and her favorite Summer Olympics experience.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.
https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/

Dec 10, 2024 • 1h 20min
Danny Woodhead - Former NFL RB, plus Matt and Jason on Juan Soto's contact and idolatry
Happy 39th birthday Matt Forte!!
Today on the podcast, we wish Matt a happy birthday, react to Juan Soto's $765 million dollar contract (02:50), talk about idolatry in sports, the relationship athletes have with money and then we welcome former NFL running back and 2024 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Danny Woodhead (28:49) to the show.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
http://SportsSpectrum.com/magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click here to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

Dec 6, 2024 • 41min
Shaun Dolac - University at Buffalo linebacker on turning pain into purpose , running toward God
Shaun Dolac is a linebacker for the University at Buffalo. In high school at West Seneca East Senior High, he was the Buffalo News Player of the Year and rushed for a school-record 1,997 yards on offense and a school-record 157 tackles on defense. After being offered a full-ride scholarship to play lacrosse, Dolac chose to pursue football and join Buffalo as a preferred walk-on.
In 2022, he led the Mid-American Conference in tackles (148) and ranked second in the nation. In 2024, he is currently leading the nation in tackles (159) and was named a mid-season All-American by CBS Sports.
Today on the podcast, Shaun Dolac talks about the impact of losing his father to cancer, how it shaped his identity in Christ, and the lessons learned through his athletic career. The conversation also touches on the significance of community, the role of God’s Word in navigating life’s challenges, and the process of transferring schools.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
http://SportsSpectrum.com/magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click here to learn how you can commit your life to Him. .

Dec 3, 2024 • 44min
Alex Call - MLB outfielder on contentment in Christ and lessons learned in 2024
Alex Call is a professional baseball player with the Washington Nationals. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He made his MLB debut in July of 2022 with the Cleveland Guardians.
He was selected off of waivers by Washington in 2023 and played in 128 games for the Nationals that season, hitting 8 home runs. In 2024, Call played in 30 games with the Nationals and hit .343 with 5 stolen bases in 99 at bats.
Today on the podcast, Alex Call shares his journey through the ups and downs of professional baseball in the past year and discusses the challenges of injuries, the pressure of performance, and the role of prayer in finding new approaches to the game. Alex reflects on the significance of contentment in all circumstances and the balance between family life and a demanding sports career.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
http://SportsSpectrum.com/magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click here to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

Nov 29, 2024 • 44min
Being a witness for Christ, playing football on Thanksgiving and engaging with teammates of diverse beliefs
In today's episode, Matt Forte reflects on Thanksgiving and the challenges of playing in the NFL during the holiday, delving into the implications of player safety in relation to Thursday games.
Matt and Jason also answer your questions from social media and explore how to engage with individuals of diverse beliefs while maintaining a Christian perspective.
Matt also reflects on his college legacy at Tulane, the current state of the football program, as well as the changing landscape of college athletics due to NIL deals.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.
https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/

Nov 26, 2024 • 49min
Monty Williams - Former NBA coach and player on contentment in Christ, coaching his son and dealing with grief
Monty Williams is a former NBA player and head coach who currently is the head basketball coach at TMI Episcopal prep school in San Antonio where he coaches two of his children. Previously, he was the head coach with the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns. In 2021, he led the Suns to the NBA Finals and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2022.Today on the podcast, Monty Williams shares about the tension of chasing success, contentment in Christ, the pivot of coaching his son in prep ball and finding peace in the storm.WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine Do you know Christ personally? Click https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/ to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

Nov 22, 2024 • 38min
Parker Byrd - East Carolina baseball player on his leg amputation and trusting God's plan
Parker Byrd is a college baseball player at East Carolina University. He was rated the 75th best shortstop nationally in high school and committed to East Carolina in 2022. On July 23, 2022, he was in a boating accident and had his right leg amputated. In February 2024, he returned to the field and became the first Division 1 baseball player to ever compete in a game with a prosthetic leg.
Today on the podcast, Parker Byrd shares his powerful story of overcoming a lost leg to return to the baseball field. Parker talks about trusting in the Lord in the midst of losing his leg and seeing God’s providence on full display.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
http://SportsSpectrum.com/magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click here to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

Nov 20, 2024 • 41min
Emeka Egbuka - Ohio State wide receiver on being bold for Jesus and revival on campus
Emeka Egbuka is a wide receiver with the Ohio State University. A 5-star recruit, Egbuka was the 2019 Washington state Gatorade Player of the Year. In 2022, his sophomore year, he had 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Emeka Egbuka about his journey with Jesus, being bold in his faith, finding peace in Christ, overcoming loneliness and the revival happening in the Ohio State locker room.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/ to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

Nov 15, 2024 • 36min
Jonathan Isaac - Orlando Magic NBA player on redefining greatness and faith in the NBA
Jonathan Isaac is entering his seventh season in the NBA with the Orlando Magic. He was originally selected 6th overall by Orlando in the 2017 NBA Draft after playing his college basketball at Florida State.
In 2022, Isaac released his first book, "Why I Stand" and in 2023, he launched his new clothing and apparel company, Unitus.
Today on the podcast, Jonathan Isaac joins Matt Forte and Jason Romano to discuss what it means to redefine greatness, faith in the NBA locker room, the mental battle with injuries, combatting anxiety with the word of God and his new basketball shoe featuring Bible verses.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
http://SportsSpectrum.com/magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click here to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

Nov 12, 2024 • 43min
Demario Davis - New Orleans Saints linebacker on the process of spiritual transformation
Today on the podcast, New Orleans Saints All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis joins Matt Forte and Jason Romano to talk about the importance of personal faith, the process of spiritual transformation, and the role of prayer in overcoming doubts and challenges. The discussion also highlights the collaboration between Demario and Saints teammate Derek Carr in leading spiritual initiatives within their team, emphasizing the significance of community and accountability in faith.
WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@SportsSpectrumMagazine
Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15
http://SportsSpectrum.com/magazine
Do you know Christ personally? Click here to learn how you can commit your life to Him.