Sports Spectrum Podcast

Jeff Kemp is a former NFL quarterback who played 10 years of pro football from 1981-1991 with the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. He had his best season in 1984, where he led the Rams to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth.  Growing up in the 1960's, Jeff Kemp watched his father Jack Kemp win multiple AFL championships as a quarterback with the Buffalo Bills. Jack Kemp was also a well known politician who went on to run for president. Jeff, post-playing career, is now a motivational speaker and author, and an ambassador for the Fatherhood CoMission.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Jeff about his NFL playing career, playing with Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Eric Dickerson, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent and Reggie White, the parallels of football and faith and why Jeff knew his post-playing career calling was to go into ministry.   Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly E

Hunter Henry is a tight end with the New England Patriots. He was originally selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Chargers and played his first five seasons with SD/LA. In the Spring of 2021, he signed a three-year contract with New England and in his first year with the Patriots, caught a career-high nine touchdown passes. In college, Henry was a standout tight end with the University of Arkansas, winning the John Mackey Award in 2015 for the nation's best tight end. Today on the podcast, we talk to Hunter Henry about becoming a father, discovering his "new why," what it means to play for an audience of one, and the importance of finding his identity outside of 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. 

Dustin Nickerson is a comedian and calls himself the "the world’s most average person.” He has performs over 300 shows a year and his videos have been viewed over 20 million times. He has appeared on Comedy Central, Hulu, Fox, and Netflix alongside Kevin Hart. His stand-up comedy special, Overwhelmed, which was produced by KevOnStage, was one of the highest-rated comedy specials on Amazon Prime and has been viewed over 125,000 times on YouTube. He and his wife Melissa host the popular Don’t Make Me Come Back There podcast and in June 2022, Dustin released his new book How to be Married (to Melissa). On today's podcast, we talk to Dustin about his career as a comedian, his love for Seattle sports, performing in minor league stadiums and why he performs clean as a standup comedian.  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.

Skip Schumaker is currently a coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was originally selected in fifth round of the 2001 MLB Draft by the Cardinals and four years later, made his big league debut with St. Louis against the Red Sox. He would go on to play 7 years with St. Louis from 2005-2012 and was a member of the 2011 World Series championship team.  After a season with the Dodgers and two more with the Reds, Schumaker's playing career ended in 2016 and he would turn to coaching a year later, being named as the first base coach of the San Diego Padres in December of 2017. He spent four seasons with the Padres before being hired back to St. Louis as their bench coach in November 2021.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Skip about returning to St. Louis as a coach in 2022, coaching his legendary former teammates (Pujols, Wainwright, Molina), growing in his faith, the impact Adam Wainwright had on his Christian walk, and blooming where he is planted. Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by prof

Mike Weller is the associate professor of athletic training at Cedarville University in Ohio. He is helping lead Cedarville’s program to new heights with the start of the Master of Athletic Training degree, which launched in June 2022. Beyond Cedarville, he has served as the staff athletic trainer for the Cincinnati Bengals training camp since 2011. He also has worked for the National Football league as the eyes in the sky during Bengals football games to alert team medical staff about potential concussions. 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.

James Mitchell is the Team Chaplain and Coordinator of Organization Life Enrichment with the Tennessee Titans. He is entering his fifth season with Tennessee in 2022. Prior to joining the Titans, Mitchell worked at Duke University as the Director of Football Development for the Blue Devil Gridiron Program for nine years from 2009-18. From 2003-09, he served six years s the team chaplain at the University of Tennessee, working with the football, and men's and women's basketball programs. He has also served as  a national director of outreach for Pro Athletes Outreach, where he worked in conjunction with both the NFL and MLB. Today on the podcast, we talk to James Mitchell about his role with the Titans and his desire to see his players and coaches grow as men, as husbands and in their faith. We also talk to James about discipleship and helping others grow in the word of God.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly

James Donaldson is a former professional basketball player who played 16 seasons in the NBA with Seattle, San Diego/LA Clippers, Dallas, N.Y. Knicks and Utah. He was originally selected in the fourth round of the 1979 NBA Draft by Seattle and after playing one year of pro ball in Italy, he made his NBA debut on October 10, 1980 with Seattle.  Most known for his time with the Dallas Mavericks, Donaldson played six seasons with Dallas and led the NBA in field goal percentage in 1984-85 and played in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago. Donaldson holds the record of the most games ever played in the NBA without an attempted three-point shot.  Today on the podcast, we talk to James Donaldson about his basketball career, why his game wouldn't translate to today's NBA, playing in the 1988 All-Star Game, guarding Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Shaquille O'Neal, Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and other legendary centers. Then the conversation turns to James post-playing career and his struggle with mental health and depressio

Jonathan Tjarks passed away from cancer at the age of 34 on September 10, 2022. He leaves behind his wife Melissa and son Jackson. Tjarks was a staff writer with The Ringer, where he covered the NBA and other sports. Today, we bring back the powerful words of Jonathan Tjarks from his conversation with us on Sports Spectrum in October 2021 to talk about how his faith in Christ helped him during his battle with cancer.  Donations to his family can be made through their GoFundMe account here.  You can read Jonathan's piece "The Long Night of the Soul" here.  You can read Jonathan's piece "Does My Son Know You?" here. 

Tim Craft is the men's head basketball coach for Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. Prior to taking the head coaching position in 2013, Craft spent time as an assistant coach at East Carolina, Auburn and Gardner Webb.  In his nine seasons with Gardner-Webb, he has 156 victories and in 2018-19, led his team to a 23-12 record and a berth into the NCAA tournament.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Tim Craft about his journey of coaching, why he chose Gardner Webb, coaching at a Christian school and his heart and desire for adoption and foster-care.  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.

Today on the podcast, our Sports Spectrum Managing Editor Jon Ackerman joins host Jason Romano to preview the 2022 Fall edition of the Sports Spectrum Magazine with New Orleans Saints All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis on the cover.  SIGN UP HERE for Sports Spectrum Magazine. Use the code SS15OFF to save 15% on a one-year subscription.

Randall Cunningham played 16 seasons in the NFL as quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. During his career, he was a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time Bert Bell award winner for the NFL's player of the year.  The UNLV grad was selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Eagles and played 11 seasons in Philadelphia and in 2009, was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Randall Cunningham about being called to be a pastor, how the progression of his faith intersected with the progression of his football career, and the joy he finds watching his children participate in sports.  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. 

Annika Schmidt is a professional soccer player with the Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In college, she was a three-year starter at Butler University and selected to the All-Big East First-Team three consecutive years. In 2020, she signed to play soccer overseas in Sweden with Goteborg FC and then in January 2021, she signed with the Houston Dash and the NWSL. In May 2022, she tore her ACL and meniscus while training for the upcoming season and missed the entire year. Today on the podcast, we talk to Annika about her soccer career, her faith in Jesus, the knee injury she suffered in May 2022 and how she's trusting God to guide her in he midst of this setback. 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. 

Carlos PenaVega is a actor and singer and a member of the group Big Time Rush. He starred in the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush from 2009-2013 and has been a part of multiple television and film roles in his eighteen year career. After appearing on multiple albums with Big Time Rush, PenaVega pursued a solo career and released his first solo single, "Electrico" in 2014. That same year, he married his wife Alexas and in 2022, wrote their first book together, "What if Love is the Point: Living for Jesus in a Self-Consumed World?" Today on the podcast, we talk to Carlos about his love for sport, meeting his wife at a Bible study, living out his faith in Hollywood, and staying true to yourself. 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. 

Welcome to the Sports Spectrum Minute featuring a short clip of inspiration from a previous Sports Spectrum Podcast interview. Today we hear from ESPN NFL Host Samantha Ponder.  She appeared on Sports Spectrum's Podcast in October 2018. You can listen to the entire interview here.  Receive our Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Joe Kim is the Director of Skill Development with the New England Patriots. He is a member of the 2018 Patriots championship team that beat the Rams 13-3 to win Super Bowl LIII.  Prior to his time in New England, Kim has been a part of multiple teams as a skill coach including Chicago, Washington, Kansas City, Buffalo, Denver, Green Bay, Miami and Dallas. He got his start as an assistant coach in the NFL with Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns in 1992. Today on the podcast, Joe Kim shares about his football journey, lessons learned from Bill Belichick, the attitude of gratitude and why he made a decision in his 40's to follow Jesus 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. 

Bryce Young is the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. In 2021, he won the Heisman Trophy and was named AP College Football Player of the Year after throwing for 4,872 yards and 48 touchdowns, leading Alabama to 13 wins and a berth in the College Football National Championship Game.  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. 

David Pollack is a college football analyst for ESPN. He was selected 17th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, but his career was cut short by a neck injury sustained Sept. 17, 2006, in a game against the Cleveland Browns. As a defensive end at the University of Georgia, he was just the second Bulldog to be named a three-time All-American (Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker was the first). Pollack was the 2002 SEC Player of the Year, the 2003 and 2004 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. He joined ESPN in 2009 and has been a staple on their signature college football show, College Gameday, each Saturday morning in the fall. On this episode of the podcast, Jade McCarthy talks to David Pollack about his favorite College Gameday moments, parenting his children well and trusting in God to lead him as he leads his family. 

Welcome to the Sports Spectrum Minute featuring a short clip of inspiration from a previous Sports Spectrum Podcast interview. Today we hear from Baylor head football coach Dave Aranda. He appeared on Sports Spectrum's Podcast in June 2020. You can listen to the entire interview here.  Receive our Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Rich Gannon is a former NFL QB who played 18 seasons with Minnesota, Washington, Kansas City and Oakland. He was the 2002 NFL Most Valuable Player and led the Raiders to the AFC championship and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVII.  After his NFL career, Gannon moved to the broadcasting booth and called NFL games for CBS Sports from 2005 to 2020. He is currently doing broadcast work with the CBS Sports Network and SiriusXM's NFL radio.  Today on the podcast, we talk to the four-time Pro Bowl QB about his NFL MVP season, the 2001 infamous Tuck Rule game, his journey of faith in Jesus and the importance of staying connected and focused on 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. 

Steve Palazzolo is a former pro baseball pitcher who is currently a senior analyst with Pro Football Focus, a football analytics website. He played his college baseball at UMass-Lowell and wasn’t drafted, but signed to play independent-league ball 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 Triple-A 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. Palazzolo 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.” Steve is an Executive Producer on a new project called "Hope is Here" that you can watch here.  On today’s podcast, we talk to Palazzolo about the 2022 NFL season, looking back at the NFL offseason, the team he thinks will take a leap and the