Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 544 Benjamin Watson played 16 seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, Browns, Saints and Ravens. He retired after the 2019 season as a Super Bowl champion with 547 career receptions.  In retirement, one of Benjamin's first projects in retirement is serving with his wife Kirsten as Executive Producers on a new documentary called "Divided Hearts of America" released September 17, 2020.  On today's podcast, we talk to Benjamin about retirement, watching Drew Brees and Tom Brady play QB, his new documentary and why it is important for him to cultivate conversations on difficult topics like race and abortion.  Follow Benjamin on Twitter: @BenjaminSWatson Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 543 Nik Wallenda is the King of the High Wire. He is the holder of seven Guinness World Records and is the first person ever to tightrope directly over Niagara Falls.  The seventh-generation member of the legendary Wallenda family, Nik walked 1,800 feet on a steel cable over a volcano in Nicaragua back in March of 2020. He's also walked across the Grand Canyon and in June of 2019, he walked across Times Squae in New York City. Nik is also an author and has written two books "Balance" released in June of 2013, and his latest book "Facing Fear: Step Out in Faith and Rise Above What's Holding You Back." releasing September 15, 2020.  On today's podcast, we talk to Nik about the incredible career he's had as King of the High Wire. He also shares about overcoming fear and why he wrote a new book on the topic. Nik's goal is to point people to Jesus through the death defying acrobats and stunts that he performs.  Follow Nik on Instagram: @NikWallenda Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Jason Wright is president of the Washington Football Team. His responsibilities include leading the organization's business divisions, including operations, finance, sales, and marketing. He is the first Black team president in the history of the NFL and currently is the youngest team president in the League. He is the fourth former NFL player to become president of a team. On today's podcast, we talk to Jason about his new role, the importance of the golden rule in his job, why integrity is important, how his faith strengthened during a poignant time in college and how being an NFL running back has helped him in his new role with Washington. Follow Jason on Twitter: @WhoisJWright Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 542 T.C. Stallings is an author and actor who has appeared in movies such as "Courageous" and "War Room," which reached number one at the box office upon its release in 2015.  A former college football star at Louisville, Stallings played professional football in Canada and in the Arena League before pursuing an acting career.  His new documentary "24 Counter: The Story BEHIND the Run" is available now to stream on Amazon Prime.  On today's podcast, we talk to T.C. Stallings about his job as an actor during the pandemic, losing his mom to Covid-19, the new documentary 24 Counter, and trusting in God during the 2020 social justice movement. Follow T.C. Stallings on Twitter: @TCStallings Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 541 Tony Beasley is currently the third base coach for the Texas Rangers. Originally selected in the 19th round of the 1989 MLB Draft as a player, Tony would play ten seasons playing minor league ball from 1989-1998, making two Carolina League All-Star teams but never made it to the major leagues as a player.  After retiring from playing, Tony went into coaching and would achieve his MLB dream by becoming a coach with the Washington Nationals under manager Frank Robinson. After spending four seasons in Washington, Tony moved to the Pirates organization and in 2015, he was named to his current role with the Rangers.  In February of 2016, Beasley was diagnosed with rectal cancer, forcing him to miss the start of the 2016 season. He was declared cancer-free in December 2016. On today's podcast, we talk to Tony Beasley about the abbreviated 2020 MLB season, his journey from playing to coaching baseball, how baseball led him to Christ, his love for singing and how his faith sustained him during his battle with cancer.  Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 542 Chris Canty played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Giants and Ravens. He is currently the co-host of DiPietro, Canty & Rothenberg on 98.7 FM ESPN Radio in New York City. He was a member of the 2011 New York Giants championship team that beat New England 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI. On today's podcast, we talk to Chris about winning a Super Bowl in New York City, being a radio host during a pandemic, growing up the son of a preacher and how his faith was tested as he overcame the odds to become an NFL player.  Follow Chris on Instagram: @ChrisCanty99 Follow Sports_Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Daniel Darling is the author of the new book "A Way with Words: Using our Online Conversations for Good."  He is the Senior Vice President of Communications at the National Religious Broadcasters and is a speaker and shares around the country. He has been featured on MSNBC, CNN and FOX as well as Christianity Today and In Touch Magazine.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Daniel about his crazy love for the Chicago Cubs, his thoughts on The Last Dance Chicago Bulls documentary, and the importance of using social media for good.    Follow Daniel on Twitter: @DanDarling Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum    

Episode 539 Lecrae is a Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling artist and a New York Times bestselling author, as well as an entrepreneur, speaker and co-owner/president of Reach Records. He has sold more than 3 million copies and has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, including a win for Best Gospel Album. From his 2017 album, "All Things Work Together," his single "I'll Find You" (featuring Tori Kelly) is now certified as "Platinum" by the Recording Industry Association of America (meaning it has sold 2 million units). On October 13, Lecrae is releasing his new book, "I Am Restored,"  and that coincides with a new album, "Restoration," released in August, as well as a forthcoming documentary. You can download a free sample chapter of the book if you pre-order at lecrae.com/restored and get a free single (not on his latest album) called "I Am Restored." On today's podcast, Lecrae shares about his love of the NBA, meeting Michael Jordan, what it means to be restored, how he came to faith in Christ, and why he feels it is important to bring awareness to social justice issues. Follow Lecrae on Instagram: @Lecrae Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 538 David Nurse is an NBA life and optimization coach, author and worldwide motivational speaker. As a former professional basketball player (both international and domestic) and a coach for the Brooklyn Nets, David has personally helped over 150 NBA players with their personal and professional development both on and off the court. He has been invited to speak in over 50 different countries on the topics of overall personal development, confidence building, leadership, and motivational growth. His new book, Pivot & Go is a compelling, hands-on blueprint to changing course and leading the life you want to live—today. In this guide, David outlines a clear 29-day plan; not to living the life, but to living your absolute best life. Today on the podcast, David Nurse shares what an NBA life optimization coach entails, the return of the NBA in the bubble, being the nephew to Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, the pivot he made from playing basketball to coaching and the importance of prayer and discipline in his spiritual journey.  Follow David on Instagram: @DavidNurseNBA Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 537 Herm Edwards is the head coach of the Arizona State football team. The former NFL defensive back came to Arizona State in December of 2017 after eight years as an ESPN NFL analyst. He led the Sun Devils to an 8-5 record in 2019 and a victory in the 2019 Sun Bowl over Florida State. In 1977, after going undrafted, Herm signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and would spend the next nine seasons playing defensive back in Philly. During his Eagles career, he never missed a game, playing in 135 consecutive games until he was released in 1986. After his retirement, Herm went into coaching and was an assistant for Marty Schottenheimer in Kansas City and Tony Dungy in Tampa before being named the head coach of the New York Jets in 2001. He would spend five seasons with the Jets and then move on to Kansas City, where he was the Chiefs head coach from 2006-2008. In 2009, he signed with ESPN and would spend eight years as a television analyst before signing with Arizona State. On today's podcast, we talk to Coach Herm Edwards about the 2020 Pac-12 season being postponed, the challenges he's faced during the pandemic, the lessons he learned as an ESPN analyst, being a voice of reason and how his faith has played an important role in his life.   Follow Herm on Twitter: @HermEdwards Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum