Sports Spectrum

Hosted by former ESPN Senior Producer Jason Romano, Sports Spectrum is an interview driven podcast that features stories on the intersection of faith and sports.



Booger McFarland - ESPN analyst and two-time Super Bowl champ on faith, family and football

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:01:00 GMT

Anthony "Booger" McFarland is an analyst with ESPN covering the NFL and college football. He played eight years in the NFL from 1999-2006 winning two Super Bowls with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 and the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.


Booger joins Matt Forte on the podcast today to share about his memories growing up in Louisiana, playing for LSU, the state of college football, the importance of his faith in Jesus, lessons from Tony Dungy, dropping his daughter off in college last month and what it means to tweet DEFCON.

Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - tunde@pao.org


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://shop.sportsspectrum.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





TUESDAY MORNING RB - Caleb Williams injury, praying for athletes, shocking NC State loss and taming the tongue

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RUNNING BACK with Matt Forte for September 22, 2026.

TOPICS:

- Chicago Bears lose game and Caleb Williams to injury

- Jayden Daniels elbow injury

- Importance of praying for athletes

- NFL's most surprising start after 2 games

- Shocking NC State loss to Vanderbilt

- Trinidad Chambliss' postgame comments and importance of taming the tongue

- Matt's WORKHORSE OF THE WEEK

- What we learned at church on Sunday


Today's podcast is in partnership with Baylor University's Truett Seminary at their Faith and Sports Institute. Learn more by checking them out at http://baylor.edu/truett/FSI


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - tunde@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Sam Acho - Former NFL running back and ESPN analyst on limits and tradeoffs, love for Nigeria and growing in Christ

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:01:00 GMT

Sam Acho is a former NFL linebacker who played nine seasons with the Cardinals, Bears and Buccaneers. The former Texas Longhorn was a fourth round draft pick by Arizona in 2011. He is currently an analyst with ESPN and a two-time author.


Sam joins his former teammate Matt Forte on today's podcast to discuss how family balance, the limits and tradeoffs, his love for Nigeria, growing in Christ and his favorite moment playing with Matt on the Bears 2015 team.

Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - tunde@pao.org


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://shop.sportsspectrum.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





TUESDAY MORNING RB - NFL Week 1 recap, Bears score 59!! Plus our most impressive and concerning teams

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RUNNING BACK with Matt Forte for September 15, 2026.

The NFL is officially back!


TOPICS:

01:53 - Week 1 in the books -- Bears score 59!!

14:33 - Team we're most impressed with

15:24 - Team we're most concerned about

27:31 - Matt's WORKHORSE OF THE WEEK

32:14 - What we learned at church on Sunday


Today's podcast is in partnership with Baylor University's Truett Seminary at their Faith and Sports Institute. Learn more by checking them out at http://baylor.edu/truett/FSI


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - tunde@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Adam Thielen - Former Vikings wide receiver on retirement, purpose and gratitude

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:03:00 GMT

Former NFL wide receiver Adam Thielen joins Matt on today's podcast to talk about his recent retirement, getting serious about his faith in Jesus, why he doesn't set goals, when he knew he was retiring and why he's appreciative of the doubters on his incredible 13 year NFL journey.


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - tunde@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





TUESDAY MORNING RB - NFL 2026 predictions, Michigan's crazy win and Matt's John 20 lesson

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RUNNING BACK with Matt Forte for September 8, 2026.

The NFL returns tomorrow! Matt gives us his division predictions, NFL MVP, NFL rushing leader and Super Bowl picks. Plus, we recap Michigan's crazy win over Western Michigan, Dabo Swinney's coaching future and what we learned at church on Sunday.


Today's podcast is in partnership with Baylor University's Truett Seminary at their Faith and Sports Institute. Learn more by checking them out at http://baylor.edu/truett/FSI


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - tunde@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Emeka Egbuka - Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR on growing in Christ, year 2 expectations and getting married

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 05:23:00 GMT

Emeka Egbuka returns to the show to talk about growing in faith in the NFL as a rookie with the Buccaneers, expectations for year 2 in 2026, getting married and memories from NFL Draft day.


TOPICS

(02:01) - Rookie year lessons

(05:14) - Getting married in July 2026

(08:38) - NFL Draft day 2025 memories

(12:47) - His welcome to the NFL moment

(16:02) - Lessons learned from God in his rookie year

(19:40) - Overcoming challenges

(21:30) - Baker Mayfield the teammate

(23:55) - Funny moments in the huddle

(24:55) - Bible character to identify with

(29:22) - Who is Jesus to Emeka right now?


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





TUESDAY MORNING RB - CFB is BACK! Being patient in the process and excited and concerned NFL teams

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RUNNING BACK with Matt Forte for September 1, 2026.

CFB is back! Plus 3 teams we love and 3 teams we're concerned with in the NFL this year. Matt brags on his son and then we hear what we learned at church. Packed show -- Tune in!


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Nathan Carter - Atlanta Falcons running back on marriage, parenting and serving Jesus on a Compassion trip

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:01:00 GMT

Nathan Carter is an NFL running back with the Atlanta Falcons.

He joins Matt Forte on today's podcast to share about preparing for the 2026 season, his amazing story of following Jesus, serving with Compassion and taking a recent trip to the Dominican Republic back in March.


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





TUESDAY MORNING RB - Matt is joined by Devin McCourty to talk retirement, preseason football and what we learned at church

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RUNNING BACK with Matt Forte for August 25, 2026.

Today, we're joined by three-time Super Bowl champion, legendary Patriots defensive back and NBC Sports NFL studio analyst Devin McCourty.


TOPICS:


- Transition from NFL to broadcasting booth (01:45)

- The learning curve at NBC as a broadcaster (03:41)

- Advice for NFL players transitioning to post-playing career (06:04)

- Thoughts on NFL training camp joint practices (09:37)

- Playing for head coach Bill Belichick (15:09)

- 2026 team to exceed expectations (26:27)

- Super Bowl prediction (27:53)

- Jesus in Devin's life today (32:55)

- What we learned at church (36:44)


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Oscar Tshiebwe - NBA player on Courage in the Dark, leaving guaranteed money and celebrating God

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:01:00 GMT

Oscar Tshiebwe is an NBA basketball player with the Houston Rockets. He joins the show today to talk about his new book COURAGE IN THE DARK as well as his life as an NBA player and wanting to share the Gospel of Jesus with all everyone.


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





TUESDAY MORNING RB - The mental side of injuries, playing starters in the preseason and investing in pizza

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RUNNING BACK with Matt Forte for August 18, 2026.


TOPICS:

( 01:02) - Preseason Week 1 recap

(05:28) - The mental side of injuries

(18:57) - Should starters play in the preseason?

(31:05) - Matt's investing in a pizza restaurant

(35:35) - What we learned at church


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Daniel Thomas - Cleveland Browns safety on "Cleveland for Christ" and being bold in his faith

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:30:00 GMT

Cleveland Browns safety Daniel Thomas joins the show with Matt Forte to talk about faith, football and impacting the community for Christ.


TOPICS:

(01:36) - Being Drafted in 2020 Covid

(03:34) - Playing football in empty stadiums in 2020

(06:30) - Finding identy and purpose beyond football

(12:01) - How Auburn shaped his journey

(15:20) - Having godly friends

(18:02) - Cleveland for Christ

(23:23) - Favorite on the field football moment

(27:47) - Discerning the Lord's voice

(32:55) - Posting devotional content on Instagram

(35:28) - Who is Jesus to Daniel Thomas today?


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





TUESDAY MORNING RB - Training camp fights, running back contracts and racing horses

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RUNNING BACK with Matt Forte for August 11, 2026.


TOPICS:

- Training camp fight stories (01:22)

- Kenneth Walker's fit with KC (06:08)

- Matt breaks down Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jonathan Taylor signing BIG contract extension (11:51)

- Why is Matt racing his horse? (34:44)

- What we learned at church (39:02)


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Seattle Seahawks WR on Super Bowl success, growing in Christ and handling the spotlight of success

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:27:00 GMT

Seattle Seahawks WR and 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba joins guest host Annabelle Hasselbeck on the show today!


Topics:

(00:40) - Celebrating a Super Bowl championship

(03:29) - Team Bible Studies

(07:13) - Being encouraged by his head coach

(08:45) - Adjustments transitioning to the NFL

(11:51) - His testimony of pursuing Jesus

(13:35) - Who is Jesus to JSN right now?

(15:04) - Handling the spotlight that comes with success

(17:07) - The Super Bowl LX moment he'll always remember


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/






TUESDAY MORNING RB - Preseason football starts, Spider-Man reviews and Pro Football HOF credentials

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RB with Matt Forte for August 4, 2026.


TOPICS:

- Preseason football is back - (01:05)

- Matt's weekend signing autographs - (05:33)

- Card collecting is back - (09:55)

- Pro Football HOF candidates - (20:08)

- Spider-Man A Brand New Day review - (35:16)

- What we learned at church - (40:10)


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Mike Macdonald - Seattle Seahawks head coach on growing in his faith and developing a Super Bowl culture

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:33:00 GMT

Seattle Seahawks head coach and Super Bowl LX champion Mike Macdonald is our guest on the podcast today.


Topics:

01:10 - Looking back at winning a Super Bowl

02:50 - God is in control

03:58 - Turning the page to 2026

06:04 - Running "it" forward

07:50 - A journey of faith

11:28 - The impact of other coaches of faith

13:37 - Bibles for Christmas

14:45 - Favorite "God moment" at Super Bowl LX

17:25 - The battle of "control" as a coach

18:50 - Pointing to God at the Super Bowl podium postgame

21:02 - Trusting the Lord no matter the circumstances

23:18 - A culture of loving, serving and caring for others

25:15 - Who is Jesus and what is God teaching Mike right now?


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/






TUESDAY MORNING RB - NFL training camp stories, ESPN layoffs, LeBron to Philly and wedding anniversaries

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 07:01:00 GMT

Welcome to TUESDAY MORNING RB with Matt Forte for July 28, 2026.


TOPICS:

- Back from vacation, Matt celebrates 15 year wedding anniversary (01:00)

- LeBron James signs with the 76ers (06:55)

- NFL training camps are back and we get Matt Forte camp stories (16:18)

- ESPN layoffs and how to respond as believers when trials come our way  (36:15)

- What we learned at church (53:35)


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/





Cori Close - UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach on trusting God and lessons learned in winning a national title

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:30:00 GMT

Cori Close is the head women's basketball coach at UCLA. In 2026, she led her squad to a national championship victory over South Carolina.


She joins the show today to talk about the lessons she learned from the Lord in this championship season. She also shares about the importance of loving and serving her staff and players, turning the page to the next season, abiding in Christ and living out her faith.


Have a question? Got a guest suggestion? Want to advertise with us? Email us - jason@sportsspectrum.com


WATCH all of our podcast episodes on our YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/SportsSpectrumMagazine


Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15

https://www.theincrease.com/products/sports-spectrum-magazine 


Do you know Christ personally? Click below to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

https://sportsspectrum.com/gospel/