Sports Spectrum Podcast

Chris Mortensen is an award-winning journalist and one of the most respected and accomplished reporters covering the National Football League today. A senior NFL Insider, Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991. He regularly appears on “NFL Live,” “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday Night Countdown,” “SportsCenter” and other programs. Mortensen also contributes to ESPN’s annual Super Bowl week and NFL Draft coverage, and his work regularly appears on ESPN.com. Honored by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) in 2016 with the prestigious Dick McCann Award for his long and distinguished contribution to pro football, Mortensen has covered every Super Bowl since 1985 with the exception of Super Bowl 50, when he was forced to take a leave of absence after being diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. Even while undergoing treatment, Mortensen broke one of the biggest news stories of the NFL offseason when his report in March 2016 confirmed that future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning would retire after 18 NFL seasons. Today on the podcast, Jade McCarthy talks with Mort about covering the 2021 NFL Draft and shares incredible stories from those he's covered in the NFL the past 30 years who have lived lives of faith in Jesus. You'll hear Mort's recollections in covering people like Joe Gibbs, Reggie White, Deion Sanders, Tony Dungy, Jim Kelly and others.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Chris Mortensen, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Chris Mortensen's journey of faith from 2019 - Sam Ponder, ESPN NFL Host 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. 

Bradley Pinion is a Super Bowl champion and the punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Bradley about how his life has changed since winning a Super Bowl, the coolest thing he experienced after winning the big game and why God guided him to be a part of the great work Convoy of Hope is doing. --- Learn more about Convoy of Hope by going to ConvoyNation.com. --- Listen to Bradley's previous conversation where he shares his incredible story of faith on Sports Spectrum here. 

A.J. Ellis is a former MLB catcher with the Dodgers, Phillies, Marlins and Padres. He was selected in the 18th round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft by Los Angeles. He played his college baseball at Austin Peay, where he became the all-time leader in hits.  Ellis made his MLB debut on September 15, 2008 with the Dodgers and played 9 seasons in LA before being traded to the Phillies. He would play two more seasons with the Marlins (2017) and Padres (2018), before retiring and joining San Diego's front office as a Special Assistant to the General Manager Today on the podcast, A.J. Ellis shares amazing stories from his time as an MLB catcher working with players like Clayton Kershaw and Greg Maddux and playing for managers Joe Torre and Don Mattingly. Ellis also discusses what it was like to be on the cover of Sports Spectrum's 2015 Summer Magazine.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - James McCann, Mets Catcher - Erik Kratz, Former MLB Catcher For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Shane Williamson is the President and CEO for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A native of Loris, S.C., Williamson became a Christ follower while attending an FCA Camp in Black Mountain, N.C., in 1986. Following that life-changing experience, his high school head football coach, Tim Renfrow, discipled him and became his encourager, mentor and role model. This enduring impact of a coach influenced Williamson to make his own commitment to the power of transformational coaching in the world of sports. Williamson attended Wofford College (S.C.) earning a B.S. in Biology while playing football for coach Mike Ayers. He remained active in the FCA Huddle throughout his years including serving as an officer. He then attended Converse College (S.C.) earning a Master’s degree in Secondary Education. Bringing understanding and experience as a coach and athlete, Williamson joined the FCA movement as a staff member in 2002 as the Upstate South Carolina Director. He then became the Multi-Area Director for Metro Atlanta FCA from 2005-2011. His roles in FCA continued to expand as he went on to serve as the Vice President of Field Ministry for the Carolinas from 2012-2014, and followed by leading all of FCA’s U.S. Field Ministry as the Executive Director from 2014-2016. Today on the podcast, we talk to Shane about his journey to Christ, the role FCA has played in his life since he was a kid, the keys to being a great leader, and why sports is such a great space to share the Gospel. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Shane, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Sarah Roberts - FCA Area Director - Kent Chevalier, Steelers Chaplain For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com.

The legendary Albert Pujols of the Los Angeles Angels shares his story of baseball, Jesus and serving others on today's episode.  This interview originally aired on Sports Spectrum's Get in the Game Podcast with Scott Linebrink. You can sign up and listen to the podcast here. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Albert, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager - Adam Wainwright and Francis Chan

Bryant Young played 14 seasons in the NFL with the 49ers. He was selected by San Francisco in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft (7th overall) and would play his entire career with the Niners winning a Super Bowl and being named to four Pro Bowls.  In college, he was a standout defensive player at Notre Dame and after coming to the NFL, he would dominate for many seasons on a defensive line that saw him be named First-Team All-Pro in 1996 and Second-Team All-Pro in 1998, 1999 and 2001. He was a member of the 1990's All-Decade Team and was named as a member of the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2020.  Today on the podcast, Bryant Young shares his story of football and faith, being named to the 49ers Hall of Fame, growing up in Chicago as a Bears fan and facing his former team, the importance of playing his entire career with one team and how God has worked in his life following the death of his 15-year old son Colby in 2016.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Bryant Young, we know you'll love these conversations as well: – Earl Smith - 49ers Team Chaplain – Josh McCown - NFL Quarterback For more stories on sports and faith, visit our website SportsSpectrum.com 

C.J. Ham is currently the starting fullback for the Minnesota Vikings. In college at Augustana University (Division II), he helped his team advance to the NCAA playoffs, and led the Northern Sun Conference in rushing yards and touchdowns.  In 2016, he was signed as an undrafted free-agent by the Vikings and after being cut, was signed to the team's practice squad just before the start of the season. In December of 2016, Ham would sign to the active roster and make his NFL debut. Three seasons later, in 2019, Ham made the Pro Bowl and signed a contract extension in early 2020.  Today on the podcast, C.J. Ham shares about the roller coaster of emotions he's been dealing with the past 15 months, losing his mother to cancer, his wife giving birth to their third child, playing through an NFL season during Covid-19 and trusting in the Lord through it all. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with C.J. Ham, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings QB - Dave and Ann Wilson - No Perfect Parents For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com 

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney joins us today to talk about his former QB Trevor Lawrence and what the Jaguars can expect when they draft him. We also hear how Dabo leads from the inside out and the role his faith in Jesus plays in his life.  --- You can watch the entire Sports Spectrum Draft Special hosted by Brock Huard and featuring this interview with coach Dabo at our Facebook and YouTube channels as well as at our website SportsSpectrum.com. 

George Gregory is the team chaplain of the Los Angeles Chargers. For more than twenty years he and his wife Tondra have been marriage and relationship coaches to thousands of couples around the world. They have worked with many current and retired couples throughout the National Football League. Together, they lead a ministry called Journey for Life Now.  George has written and co-authored multiple books including the new release “Imperfect Dads: One Perfect Father," which is available in June of 2021.  Today on the podcast, George shares the crazy story of becoming the Chargers team chaplain, what it was like ministering to players and coaches during the pandemic season of 2020, the role his father played in shaping him spiritually and why his heart in serving with his wife is to help restore and strengthen marriages.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with George, you'll love these conversations as well: - Marcellus Casey - Kansas Chiefs Team Chaplain - Kent Chevalier - Pittsburgh Steelers Team Chaplain For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com. 

Marty Lamb has been scouting baseball players for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1999. Of the 10 first round picks for the Dodgers since 2015, Lamb was the area scout for six of them including Walker Buehler, Will Smith, Matt Beaty and Caleb Ferguson.  Lamb also serves on the Board of Directors for Refuge for Women, a nonprofit, faith-based organization providing specialized long-term care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation.  Today on the podcast, Marty Lamb tell us about his unique role behind the scenes as a scout for the Dodgers, coming to faith during his time in grad school at Mississippi State, and why he's passionate about helping women who have been caught in the perils of human trafficking.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Marty, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Kevin Burrell - White Sox Area Scouting Supervisor - Sal Giardina – Pro Baseball Player For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website SportsSpectrum.com