Sports Spectrum Podcast

Mike Metcalf is a NASCAR pit-crew coach and is presently one of the head coaches for the Chip Ganassi Racing pit crew and fuel man for the No. 42 team. The Charlotte native and former football student-athlete graduated with honors from Appalachian State University. He first entered the world of motorsports in 2006 as a member of a NASCAR Pit Crew. Mike quickly climbed the ranks and started coaching pit crews in addition to competing in 2012. Outside of motorsports, Mike is very active in the community. He serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Rescue Mission.  His new book "12 Second Culture" released in 2020 and is available now.  On today's podcast, Mike Metcalf shares how a former college football player becomes a NASCAR pit-crew coach, why he's passionate about leadership, his favorite NASCAR story and the importance of being an example of Jesus to those who are suffering injustices.    Follow Mike on Instagram: @MrMetcalfJr Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 551 Brian Dawkins is a 9-time Pro Bowl safety with the Eagles and Broncos. He played 13 seasons with Philadelphia from 1996-2008 and three seasons with Denver from 2009-2011.  In 2018, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  His foundation "The Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation" provides inspiration, education and resources to youth, families and communities in need. On this episode of the podcast, Brian joins us to share his powerful testimony of faith, his struggle with depression and suicide, the impact his grandmother made on his life, and the importance of mental health awareness.  Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianDawkins Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum 

Episode 550 Cori Close is the head coach for the UCLA Women's Basketball team. In her nine seasons, she has led the Lady Bruins to three Sweet Sixteens and one Elite Eight appearance. In 2019-2020, UCLA went 25-4 before their season was cut short due to Covid-19.  Prior to her coaching career, Close was a player at UC Santa Barbara (89-93) and was the first player in school history to record more than 1,000 points and 500 assists in a career. In April 2005, Close was inducted into the UC Santa Barbara Athletics Hall of Fame.  On today's podcast, we talk to Cori Close about being a good truth teller, being a fruit bearer, why she decided to do a Proverbs Challenge, her growth as a leader and how her faith guides her as a head coach.   Follow Coach Close on Instagram: @CoachCoriClose   Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 549 Mark Herzlich played seven seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants. He was a member of the 2011 team that won Super Bowl XLVI over the Patriots.  Undrafted in 2011 out of Boston College, Mark was the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and named First-Team All-Amercian at linebacker that same season. In 2009, he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He was able to overcome and return to the football field in 2010, where he won the Rudy Award and the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award after starting 13 games and finishing third on the team in tackles.  Mark retired following the 2017 season and is currently a football analyst with the ACC Network. Today on the podcast, we talk to Mark Herzlich about his incredible story of overcoming cancer, how his faith became real to him in the midst of the cancer diagnosis, and the important role his wife Danielle played in his walk with Christ.    Follow Mark on Instagram: @MarkHerzlich Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

***This interview was recorded on September 15, 2020*** Jack Easterby is the Houston Texans Executive Vice President and manages all football operations and directs the overall culture of the team. Prior to arriving in Houston, Jack was a part of three Super Bowl winning championship teams as a character coach and team chaplain with the New England Patriots.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Jack Easterby about his role with the Texans, what discipleship looks like and why it is important to do the next - right - thing.    Follow Jack on Twitter: @JackEasterby Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 548 Matthew Maher is a living testament to God's second chances. Growing up in New Jersey, Matthew dreamed of being a professional soccer player. After a successful college soccer career at Temple, Matthew achieved that dream and played in the Major Indoor Soccer League.  HIs career would span a couple of seasons but on March 1, 2009, Maher blew out his knee and his career was over. Just six days later, a decision Maher made would change his life forever. On March 7, 2009, Maher was driving drunk when he hit and killed Hort Kap. Maher was sentenced to five and a half years in prison in January 2010. After serving time, Matthew turned his mess into a message and is the founder of TruthoverTrend.com. He's also a teaching pastor at Coastal Christian Church in Ocean City, NJ and is a highly sought after speaker throughout New Jersey.  On this episode of the podcast, Matthew shares his powerful story of soccer, faith, prison and redemption.  Follow Matthew on Twitter: @TruthoverTrend Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 547 Casey Phillips is the team reporter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Her role includes on-camera talent for all Buccaneer TV shows, radio shows, interviews for Buccaneers.com as well as in-stadium host and event emcee.  Prior to her arrival in Tampa in 2015, Casey had broadcasting stops with the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, St. Louis Rams and Walt Disney World. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Masters of Arts in Broadcast Management.  On today's podcast, we talk to Casey about her unique role with the Buccaneers, interviewing Tom Brady for the first time, her favorite Disney World restaurants and how her faith in Jesus Christ has been the guiding point on her journey.  Follow Casey on Twitter: @CaseyReporting Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum For more stories of sports and faith, check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 546 Sam Acho has played nine seasons in the NFL with the Buccaneers, Bears, Cardinals and Bills. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals after playing his college football at the University of Texas. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and spent four seasons with the Cardinals before signing with the Bears in 2015. He played four seasons in Chicago and after a brief stint with Buffalo and the latter part of 2019 with Tampa.  Sam is now an author and his new book "Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes" releases October 13, 2020.  On today's podcast, we talk to Sam about the process of writing his first book, why we're all worth getting to know, how to be be real in a world of fakes, the story of meeting President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush and why he's grieving for our country right now.  Follow Sam on Instagram: @TheSamAcho Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Adam Weber is the pastor of the founder and pastor of Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  He is the author of two books "Talkng with God" and his most recent release, "Love Has A Name."  Adam is also the biggest Cincinnati Bengals fan in South Dakota, and maybe west of the Mississippi.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Adam about his new book "Love Has a Name," his love for music, the excitement for Joe Burrow, why he loves meeting the strangest of strangers and the importance of caring for your own soul.    Follow Adam on Twitter: @AdamWeber Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 545 Steve Palazzolo is a former pro baseball pitcher who is currently a senior analyst with Pro Football Focus. Steve played his college baseball at UMass-Lowell but went undrafted and signed to play Independent baseball with the Florence Freedom in Kentucky. He was able to turn that opportunity into an eight-year pro baseball career that saw him reach as high as AAA with the Brewers, Giants and Mariners organizations.  After his baseball career came to an end in 2011, he pursued his passion to work in pro football, joining Cris Collinsworth and the team from Pro Football Focus. Steve currently lives in Cincinnati with his wife and four children and serves in the local church and with a local addiction program called "Heritage House."  On today's podcast, we talk to Steve about his pro baseball career, his unique job with Pro Football Focus, coming to faith on a baseball road trip in Nashville and his desire to serve those who are stuck in addiction.  Follow Steve on Twitter: @PFF_Steve Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum