

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

Jul 21, 2021 • 13min
Milwaukee Bucks NBA Champion Jrue Holiday shares his testimony of faith in Jesus Christ
The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA champions and a big part of their run to a title has been the addition of point guard Jrue Holiday. In their Game 6 clincher against the Suns, Holiday almost had a triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds in helping Milwaukee to their first NBA title in 50 years. Today on the podcast, we bring back to you a conversation we had with Jrue Holiday from 2018, when he shared his testimony of faith in Christ and how the importance of God in his life. --- 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.

Jul 21, 2021 • 31min
Paralympic Gold Medalist Grace Norman on her faith in Christ and preparing for the 2021 Paralympics
Grace Norman is a 2016 Paralympic Gold Medalist. Grace was born with congenital constriction band syndrome in her left leg at birth, which resulted in the amputation of her left leg and right big toe below the knee when she was young. Norman competed in track & field and cross country in high school, where she became the first female amputee to finish on the podium at a high school track & field state championship. Norman competed in both track & field and paratriathlon at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, becoming the first U.S. athlete to win gold in paratriathlon’s debut as a Paralympic medal event. She currently holds the world records for the 800-meter and 1,500-meter in the T44 classification for track & field. In June, the Cedarville University graduate qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics, where Norman will compete in August of 2021. On today's podcast, Norman shares how she's preparing for the 2021 Paralympics, her faith journey, how God has revealed himself to her over the past year, and how she was able to handle celebrity at the age of 18 when she won her first Gold Medal. -- If you enjoyed this podcast with Grace Norman, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Jessica Long - Paralympic Gold Medalist - David Prince – U.S. Paralympic Sprinter 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.

Jul 20, 2021 • 23min
NFL wife Dr. Shahrzad Slater on faith, justice and IJM
Dr. Shahrzad Slater is the wife to New England Patriots Pro Bowler Matthew Slater and mom to three kids. Today on the podcast, we talk to Shahrzad about her passion for justice, why she and her husband Matthew are involved with IJM (International Justice Mission) and her desire to represent Jesus by serving others. Go to IJM.com/Slavery to learn more about the International Justice Mission, the reality of slavery and human trafficking and how you can join the fight.

Jul 19, 2021 • 50min
Surfing legend Bethany Hamilton on motherhood, identity and faith
Bethany Hamilton was thrust in the spotlight at just 13 years old, when she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark and lost her arm. The traumatic injury seemingly ended her dream career as a professional surfer. However, one month after the attack, Hamilton returned to surfing, and within two years had won her first national surfing title. At 17 years old, she realized her dream of surfing professionally and she is still an active surf competitor to this day. Today on the podcast, Sports Spectrum contributor Jade McCarthy talks to Bethany about her life as a mom, whether she will get back in the water to surf professionally again, finding her identity in something bigger than herself and how God has brought her to a place to serve and mentor others. -- If you enjoyed this podcast with Bethany, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Bethany Hamilton in 2019 - Christian Yeager, TV Host/Surfer 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.

Jul 17, 2021 • 25min
Introducing Sports Spectrum's "Inside the Chapel" Podcast
Inside the Chapel is a new show on the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network. Hosted by Reza Zadeh (Denver Broncos NFL Chaplain) and Ikki Soma (Houston Rockets NBA Chaplain), this podcast features sports chaplains sharing message of faith and hope. Today you'll get to hear a sample of this new podcast that is now available everywhere podcasts are found. Subscribe/Follow: APPLE: https://apple.co/3ynfvGZ SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/3wfZdxU --- 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.

Jul 16, 2021 • 41min
Denver Broncos All-Pro Safety Justin Simmons on his new contract, living for Christ and giving back to the community
Justin Simmons is a Pro Bowl safety with the Denver Broncos. He was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by Denver out of Boston College. In college, Simmons was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) second team by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association and ACC head coaches. He was named to Phil Steele’s All-American fourth team and ProFootballFocus.com’s All-America honorable mention. Since arriving in Denver, Simmons has solidified himself as the starting free safety and was rewarded with a four-year contract in March of 2021. This past season, he was named to his first Pro Bowl in a season that saw him reach a career-high five interceptions. Pro Football Focus named Simmons as a First-Team All-Pro in 2019 and Second-Team All-Pro in 2020. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Simmons about signing the new contract with Denver, trusting in God to guide his path, starting his foundation, standing up for justice and how becoming a dad has helped him grow closer to God the Father. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Justin, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Justin Simmons conversation from 2019 - Mark Schlereth, 3-time Super Bowl Champion 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.

Jul 14, 2021 • 38min
KC Royals Hunter Dozier on finding joy in the midst of struggle and playing for an audience of one
Hunter Dozier is a Major League Baseball player with the Kansas City Royals. He was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft (8th overall) by Kansas City out of Stephen F. Austin. In 2016, Dozier made his MLB debut against the Oakland A's. In 2019, Dozier hit 26 home runs, drove in 84 runs and led the American League with 10 triples. In February of 2021, Dozier signed a new four year deal to remain with the Royals. Today on the podcast, we talk to Hunter Dozier about how he finds joy when he's struggling on the field, how his faith guides him each day, playing for an audience of one, and his MLB debut story. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Hunter Dozier, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Royals Manager Mike Matheny and his wife Kristin - Gene Watson - Former Royals Director of Pro Scouting 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.

Jul 13, 2021 • 28min
Demi-Leigh Tebow on marriage, faith, and human trafficking
Demi-Leigh Tebow is the 2017 Miss Universe winner and the wife to Tim Tebow. Today on the podcast, we talk to Demi about her passion for justice, her powerful story that led her to become involved in the fight against human trafficking, what the pandemic taught her about marriage and her thoughts on now being the wife of a current NFL player. Go to IJM.com/Slavery to learn more about the International Justice Mission, the reality of slavery and human trafficking and how you can join the fight.

Jul 12, 2021 • 48min
College Basketball Coach John Mosley on Netflix's Last Chance U and using coaching to share the Gospel
Since 2012, John Mosley has been the head basketball coach at East Los Angeles College. Mosley’s ELAC Huskies are currently featured in the 2021 season of the Netflix Emmy Award-winning sports documentary series: Last Chance U. The team is the first basketball program to be covered in the critically-acclaimed series. Mosley is a former college basketball player at the JUCO and NAIA level, led the state in assists per game while playing for East LA. After his playing career, he pursued a job in coaching and spent five seasons as an assistant coach with Cal-Bakersfield from 2006-2011. Today on the podcast, we talk to Mosley about being featured on Last Chance U, the platform that he's been given to share his about Christ, his one big concern with saying yes to Netflix and why he sees coaching as a ministry. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with John Mosley, we know you'll love these conversations as well: – Tony Bennett – Virginia Men’s Basketball Coach – Michael Porter Sr – Coach and NBA Father 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.

Jul 10, 2021 • 43min
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zac Lowther on making his MLB debut and trusting in God's plan
Zac Lowther was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round of of the 2017 MLB Draft after a successful college baseball career at Xavier University. Today on the podcast, we talk to Zac about making his MLB debut on April 25, 2021 and what that experience was like for him. He shares how his faith in the Lord has evolved and grown since becoming a father and what life is like on the road as a pro baseball player working his way up through the minors. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Zac, we know you'll love these conversations as well: – Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher – Darryl Strawberry, 4-Time MLB Champion 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.