Sports Spectrum Podcast

James Laurinaitis played eight seasons in the NFL with the Rams and Saints. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft after a decorated college career at Ohio State that saw him win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2007 and 2008.  After his retirement in 2017, James has entered the broadcasting world and is now calling football games for the Big Ten Network and co-hosting a radio show on The Fan 97.1 FM in Columbus, Ohio.  Today on the podcast, we talk to James about the death of his famous WWE father Joe (Road Warrior Animal), how his relationship with Christ has helped him in the grieving process, and the importance of community and friendships in the body of 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.

Clayton Carlin is the defensive coordinator for Sam Houston State's football team. In 2020, he led the Bearkats to the FCS national championship finishing with a perfect 10-0 record.  Carlin's defense led all of the FCS with 23 takeaways and 14 fumble recoveries and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher over 22 consecutive games dating back to 2019.  With previous coaching stints at Coastal Carolina, Bucknell, New Mexico State, Villanova and Buffalo, Carlin's coaching career has spanned over 25 years.   Today on the podcast, we talk to Clayton Carlin about winning a 2020 FCS national title in May 2021, the adjustments made in coaching during a pandemic, how his faith in Christ has guided him as a coach, husband and father and what he learned from legendary Nebraska football coach Tom Osbourne early in his career.  --- 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.

NFL Columnist Jarrett Bell has covered pro football for USA TODAY Sports since 1993. He previously served as a contributor at ESPN (2013-2017), primarily featured as a panelist on the former “NFL Insiders” show and “SportsCenter.” He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee since 1997 and was also tapped to participate on a blue-ribbon panel that selected the NFL’s Centennial Team. Jarrett's first job in the NFL was working with the Dallas Cowboys as a writer in the mid-1980's.  On today's podcast, Jade McCarthy talks to Jarrett about his prestigious writing career, how coach Tony Dungy has helped him in his journey of faith and the importance of loving and forgiving others.  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.

Joel Penner is the head coach of Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. In 2020, he led Dordt to a program best 8-3 record and a spot in the NAIA playoffs. His offense scored more than 40 points in 8 of 11 games last season.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Joel about the unique culture that exists at Dordt, what it means to coach for transformation and the DEFENDER WAY. --- 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.

Kevin Malone is a former Major League Baseball General Manager. He's currently the CEO and Chairman of the Board for the United States Institute Against Human Trafficking.  For over 20 years, Malone was part of a pro baseball career that saw him go from playing to the front office. In 1985, after a short-lived pro baseball playing career, Malone began work as a scout with the Angels. In 1987, he moved to Montreal and in 1994, was named the General Manager of the Expos. That season, he led Montreal to the best record in baseball (74-40) in a strike shortened season and was named one of the best GM's in baseball.  Malone served for two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles as their Assistant General Manager and in 1998 was named the General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2001, Malone retired from professional baseball.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Kevin Malone about his baseball career, his namesake being featured on "The Office," his time with the Expos, his testimony of faith and the work he's doing to combat human trafficking. Kevin also shares the powerful story of his son Shawn and how God literally saved him from death.  You can watch the 21 minute film of Kevin Malone and his son Shawn here.  --- 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.

Kelli Masters is an attorney, a certified sports agent and the founder of KMM Sports, a full-service sports management company based in Oklahoma City. She has represented more professional athletes than any other woman in the history of sports and was named one of the 25 most influential women in sports worldwide by Bleacher Report.  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. Masters was also voted Miss Oklahoma in 1997 and competed in the Miss America Pageant that same year. Kelli's new book "High Impact Life" released in August and is available for order here.  On today's episode of the podcast, Kelli shares what being an NFL agent was like in 2020 during the pandemic, living a life of purpose, writing a book to point to Jesus and standing on her "anchor" moment.  --- 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.

Jonathan Evans is the team chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys and an accomplished speaker, teacher and author. He currently serves on the pastoral staff at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship with his father, Dr. Tony Evans.  Evans played college football at the University of Baylor and spent time in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys under head coach Bill Parcells. After football was over, Evans got his Masters Degree in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary His sister Priscilla Shirer is a speaker, author and actor and his brother Anthony is a singer and worship leader.  His latest book, "Your TIME is NOW: Get what God has Given You" is available now.  Today on the podcast, Jonathan shares stories of signing with Dallas, the first time he met coach Bill Parcells, how he's processed grief after the death of his mother, why he wrote his latest book and how he became the team chaplain for the Cowboys.  --- 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.

Ben Kirby is the author of "Preachers n Sneakers: Authenticity in an Age of For-Profit Faith and (Wannabe) Celebrities." The former United States Marine's work has been featured in the N.Y. Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News and Buzzfeed.  --- 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.  

Brock Purdy is a quarterback for the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12. He played his high school football at Perry High in Gilbert, Arizona and was voted Gatorade's Football Player of the Year for Arizona in 2017. As a true freshman at Iowa State, he started eight games and cemented himself as the Cyclones QB. Last season, Purdy led Iowa State to a 9-3 record and their first ever Big 12 Championship game appearance. In the 2021 Playstation Fiesta Bowl, Purdy was named Offensive MVP in helping the Cyclones to a 34-17 win over Oregon. Today on the podcast, we talk to Brock about the excitement surrounding the 2021 season, playing before a packed house in Ames, the importance of Christ in his life, the impact his father Shawn has made, and why he wants to live set apart from the world. -- If you enjoyed this podcast with Brock Purdy, we know you'll love these conversations as well: – Shawn Purdy - Former Pro Baseball Player – Patrick and Bo Nix (Alabama High School Football) 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.

Thomas R. Williams is a former linebacker who played his college football at USC. He was a 5th round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2008 NFL Draft and spent five seasons with Jacksonville, Seattle, New England, Buffalo, Carolina and Tampa. He retired from football after suffering a neck injury in 2012.  In college, Williams was dubbed "The Hitman" and was a team captain that helped the Trojans to a 59-6 record and two national titles. His teammates voted him as the team's most inspirational player in the 2007 season. Thomas is a professional speaker who leads a non-profit called "Pursuits of Greatness" where he helps college student athletes prepare for life after playing sports. He is the author of two books including "Permission to Dream" and "The Relentless Pursuit of Greatness."  Today on the podcast, Thomas R. Williams shares his story of coming to Christ, what it means to him to be the "Professional Reminder," playing for coach Pete Carroll at USC and how he moved from passion to purpose.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Thomas R. Williams, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Ben Malcolmson, Pete Carroll's Assistant - Jon Gordon, Author/Speaker 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.