THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST HOSTED BY MATT FORTE, FEATURING DANIEL THOMAS
Daniel Thomas is a defensive back with the Cleveland Browns. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars after playing his college ball at Auburn. After five seasons in Jacksonville and one in Detroit, he signed with Cleveland in 2026.
Today on the podcast, Matt Forte talks to Daniel Thomas about his NFL Draft experience during the pandemic in 2020, how his experience at Auburn shaped his faith, finding identity in Christ rather than football, what “Cleveland for Christ” is all about, and why he uses his social media platform to point people to God.
With the first games set to kick off in a matter of weeks, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for the upcoming college football season. Big hits, highlight-reel catches and plenty of excitement from some of the game’s brightest stars are in store for 2026-27 — and the people most responsible for maintaining competitive equity and fair play are the officials.
Frequently questioned yet rarely thanked. Such is the life of a referee. Yet for longtime college football official Donnie Aultman, Saturdays in the fall are opportunities to make much of Christ and point others to the One in whom true hope is found.
“Often, people see officials as almost not human,” Aultman told Sports Spectrum this offseason. “… We’re out there just trying to keep a game going, be a meaningful part of it, but at the same time, people like me are trying to live our faith out through that as well — what God’s called us to do.”
Aultman has been a football official in the Big 12 Conference for more than 15 years and a collegiate official for more than 30. He also works with the United Football League. Aultman has helped officiate a national championship game, in January 2021, and the first-ever campus-site College Football Playoff game, Indiana vs. Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, in December 2024.
We’re cheering for the refs in tonight’s National Championship! ◼️◻️
Donnie Aultman, who graduated from @LATechBUSN in 1994 & 1999 & is a member of our Alumni Association, was chosen to referee the @CFBPlayoff National Championship in Miami. 🏈
Aultman was an avid sports fan growing up. He played football, baseball and basketball in high school, but after graduating from Louisiana Tech in 1994, was planning to enter the business world. He still had an itch for sports he was looking to scratch, however. That’s when, in God’s providence, he was connected with a football official. The rest is history.
“Ever since that point,” Aultman said, “I guess in a way I fell in love with officiating.”
College football officiating crews are required to be on the field 90 minutes before kickoff, often before the teams arrive. One day, as Aultman took in the game-day atmosphere and readied his mind for the intensity to ensue, God revealed to him an opportunity for Gospel growth.
For many years now, Aultman has handed out coins to donors or children he interacts with on the sidelines before games. On one side is information about how to become an official. On the other is the Bible verse Colossians 3:23.
“I’ve found that it’s a way that I could not only reach (people) as far as, ‘Hey, maybe you want to be an official one day,'” he said. “But also maybe that Bible verse planted a seed.”
Aultman took his informal sideline evangelism up a notch a couple of years ago, when it was suggested to him that he create a website for his ministry. He did just that, and Official(ly) His was born.
“This website is a space where I share devotions aimed at enhancing teamwork within officiating crews and enriching their spiritual journey with Christ,” the website states.
The website features activities for kids and a link to a YouTube video for the plan of salvation, as well as information about how to join a local officiating chapter. But the piece that Aultman may be most proud of is a link to another of his websites, refdevotions.blogspot.com. There, he’s catalogued the countless devotions he’s given to the officiating crews he’s been a part of through the years, devotions that often touch on topics related to the world of officiating. He seeks to show others what God has to say about the topic in His Word.
“I’ve had NFL officials, high school officials, I’ve had all levels of officials say they’ve used the devotions in their crews as well,” Aultman said. “… God has called me to do this and given me the opportunity to do this. And I don’t try to waste it.”
Aultman actively incorporates his faith into his pregame routine as well. Every morning, he meets God in prayer. Then, in addition to devotions with the crew and coins with the fans, he continues to saturate game day with prayer. He regularly talks to God as he walks the field before games, and as many crews do, he ensures he prays with his fellow officials minutes before kickoff.
“Just taking that minute for myself — or a couple minutes — just to calm myself and pray,” he said. “Often, I’ll pray for each person on the crew by name.”
His relationship with Jesus grounds him. His identity doesn’t ride on a missed call. He’s accepted in Christ, even in spite of his imperfections. It’s a message that comes in quite handy, he says, when he’s showered with vitriol from fans and coaches.
“Mistakes are gonna be made,” Aultman said. “It’s just like living. We’re still sinful people. There’s still mistakes that are made. That’s kind of the way I picture it. Just like sin in our life, we try to minimize it and turn our back to it when we can. Same way on the field.
“… I’ve found, just like anything in life, if you listen enough and help [coaches] understand you care about what they’re saying — whether you agree with it or not — as long as they see you’re listening.”
(Photo courtesy Donnie Aultman)
Aultman knows he likely won’t receive praise for an officiating job well done, but he’s also certain God has called him to this line of work and given him a passion for it. Ultimately, the story isn’t about him but about the glory of God.
“There’s different ways that I think I’ve been blessed by this and what I’ve been able to do,” Aultman said. “I think it’s important that God’s given me a chance to reach people at the same time. … I’m just trying to follow what God’s leading me to do. Maybe it’s unusual being a football official, but I think that just shows how God’s at work.”
Saints legend Drew Brees with his bust during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Aug. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
A weekend celebrating football and the greats who’ve played it was capped by the enshrinement ceremony into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for five more legends of the game on Saturday in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of today’s NFL.
The 2026 class included wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, kicker Adam Vinatieri, linebacker Luke Kuechly and running back Roger Craig. Perhaps the headliner of the class, however, was quarterback Drew Brees.
Amid a chorus of “Who Dat” chants from the many New Orleans Saints’ faithful in attendance, Brees delivered the final speech of the celebratory afternoon. And in the middle of his gracious yet inspiring speech, Brees made time to point to Jesus, as he so often did during his incredible 20-year career.
“One of the most life-changing events occurred my junior year of high school (in Austin, Texas) after suffering a major knee injury, which put my athletic career in jeopardy. My identity was challenged,” he said. “Up until that point, sports had defined me, and I wasn’t sure who I was without it.
“Sitting in church, on my 17th birthday, Christ came into my heart and changed me forever.”
“Christ came into my heart and changed me forever.”
“I felt protected, connected and directed towards the path that God had for me,” he continued. “He would equip me for the journey, which led me to places I never could have expected.”
Brees also thanked those who mentored him toward greater spiritual maturity, and he later mentioned how much he benefited from the Bible studies he participated in with his Saints teammates.
One of the most poignant moments of Brees’ speech was when he discussed his arrival in New Orleans.
“Sometimes, it takes losing what can be replaced to truly appreciate the things that can’t,” he said, alluding the devastation New Orleans experienced after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “New Orleans, you accepted me. You embraced me. You believed in me. But more importantly, you entrusted me with the soul of the city.
“And I would’ve died to protect that calling.”
"You trusted me with the soul of the city. And I would have died to protect that calling."
Brees was drafted in the second round by the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers in 2001 after a successful four-year career at Purdue in which he won the Big Ten Conference championship and conference MVP in 2000. He initially struggled with the Chargers, however, and was benched on three separate occasions. Standing at only 6 feet tall and weighing just more than 200 pounds, many considered him too small to succeed.
His unique bond with the city of New Orleans, however, began in March 2006, when he signed with the team in free agency. The Saints were coming off of a 3-13 season in 2005, in which they relocated to San Antonio due to Katrina’s effects. Under the leadership of Brees and first-year head coach Sean Payton, New Orleans rebounded to finish 10-6 and win the NFC South. A few years later, in February 2010, Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl victory, a 31-17 decision over the Indianapolis Colts. Brees was named Super Bowl MVP.
During his 15 seasons in New Orleans, Brees reached 12 of his 13 Pro Bowls, twice won NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011), was named Walter Payton Man of the Year (2006), rewrote the NFL record books and endeared himself to the city for life.
Known for his leadership, preparation and pinpoint accuracy, Brees set new records for career passing yards, career passing touchdowns and total completions. He’s now second to Tom Brady in each of those categories. On March 14, 2021, exactly 15 years after signing with the Saints, Brees retired.
In 2018, as he was nearing many of those passing milestones, Brees revealed in a video with Sports Spectrum more details about becoming a follower of Christ as a high schooler so many years ago. Although he went to church growing up, he admitted that he often found church boring. That is, until his torn ACL as a junior in high school.
“What I thought was just gonna be my life — sports — I felt like was being stripped away from me,” he said in the video. “I remember sitting in church on my 17th birthday, sitting in that same pew where my brother and I used to just goof around and never pay attention. For some reason, that day it was different.
“I was locked in on the pastor as he was sitting there talking about how the Lord was looking for a few good men to carry on His Kingdom and to spread His Word and to live that life that He had planned for them. That spoke to me.
“It was at that moment that I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and knew that there was something that was bigger planned for me than just sports.”
Later in the video he spoke about his 2006 free agency: “My wife and I were taking a visit to New Orleans, who was six months post-Katrina. We’re just looking at the sheer devastation and just saying, ‘I’m not gonna trust what I see with my eyes, because my eyes are telling me not to come here.’ And yet, my heart, my soul, the Lord is telling me that this is our calling. It’s not about just coming to play football and be a part of the resurgence of a football team or an organization; it’s about the resurrection and rebirth of a city, and we can be a part of that.
“… Second Corinthians 5:7 will tell you we’re led by faith and not by sight. So much of life is that. It’s faith in God, knowing that He’s got a plan. At times you don’t understand it, and you’re not gonna see it, and yet you just have to trust Him. You have to have faith.”
Including Brees and his four other Class of 2026 enshrinees, there are now just 387 bronze busts on display in Canton, out of the more than 26,000 players who have ever played in the NFL.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba in January 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST HOSTED BY ANNABELLE HASSELBECK, FEATURING JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and 2025, and last year led the NFL in receiving yards and was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He had 10 receptions, 153 receiving yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game victory over the Los Angeles Rams and ultimately led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl LX title.
Today on the podcast, JSN joins Annabelle Hasselbeck to talk about his incredible 2025 season, signing a new four-year extension in March to make him the highest-paid NFL receiver in history, trusting in God’s plan, growing in his faith in Jesus, and believing the best is still yet to come.
BREAKING: Seahawks, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba agree to terms on 4-year, $168.6M extension with $120M guaranteed, making him the highest paid WR in the NFL. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/krdA4gMRVe
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Despite going 13-4 and winning the AFC South a season ago under first-year head coach Liam Coen, the Jacksonville Jaguars have largely flown under the radar in offseason talks about potential Super Bowl contenders. Many experts predict the Jaguars to take a significant step back in 2026-27.
But as Coen enters his second year at the helm, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence returning, he believes his team can not only replicate last season’s success but continue to improve on it. If they do, it will mark the Jaguars’ first back-to-back postseason appearances this century.
“In everything that we do, we are training to say, ‘Anyone, any time, any way,'” Coen said as he addressed his team during the first week of training camp. “We built the standard and the foundation and the way that we want to play the game.”
At 40 years old, Coen is one of the younger head coaches in the NFL, and he’s also a member of the famed Sean McVay coaching tree; Coen learned under the Los Angeles Rams head coach as a position coach for three years (2018-20) and the offensive coordinator for another (2022). In 2024, Coen was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and helped fuel the career renaissance of QB Baker Mayfield. In his first year in Jacksonville last season, he became the NFL’s first rookie head coach to win 13 or more games after his team won four or fewer games the prior season.
During Coen’s coaching journey, he’s established himself as an offensive mastermind and a skilled quarterback developer. He’s also made it known during his time in the spotlight that he’s a follower of Christ.
Coen was a guest on the “Built 4 More” podcast last week with pastor Joby Martin and Denny Thompson, where the coach discussed one of the most difficult experiences of his life and how Christ formed his faith through the trial.
Coen grew up as an only child in Rhode Island, where he was a football fanatic and very close with his mother, Beth. But when Liam was in high school, Beth felt something was off. After numerous appointments, the doctors concluded that she’d contracted Lyme disease. The former marathon runner now struggled to get out of bed each morning. The physical pain was excruciating, and there was little improvement. But the emotional toll grew unbearable.
Four years later, in 2006, Coen was chasing his gridiron dream in college at UMass. He returned home during a school break, and his dad was in the hospital with congestive heart failure. While Coen was at the hospital with him, his mother took her own life.
Coen needed to care for his dad in the immediate aftermath, and then he rushed to return to school and join his team. Suddenly, he was back on a college campus, going to classes and practices like nothing had changed.
“I didn’t probably deal with it right, or well, in that short term,” Coen admitted on the podcast.
But this was different than anything he’d experienced before. The pain of losing his mother in the way he did wasn’t going away.
“Come to find out, 10 years down the road, it creeps up on you when you don’t deal with it,” he said on the podcast. “You don’t process it, you don’t forgive, you don’t have grace. It started to eat at me, and I didn’t know why. I didn’t know what was really happening. I wasn’t feeling right.”
He found people to talk through his traumatic past, and amidst those sessions, Jesus became a frequent topic of conversation. Coen had attended a private Catholic high school and learned many of the rituals, but he had never truly discovered the essence of Christianity.
“I actually began to have a relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said of that time. “And oh my gosh, I started to have more grace, and I started to forgive, and I started to have a little bit more understanding of what she went through and why.”
He had been given new life in Christ.
That new life was only strengthened during his time as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Kentucky (2021, 2023) through the ministry of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter. There, Coen was introduced to a man who handed him a small but extremely helpful packet about the Bible.
“I didn’t know what Jesus did,” Coen said on the podcast. “I didn’t know what He sacrificed. I didn’t know why He was truly put on this earth.”
Coen’s story of unthinkable pain followed by the power of healing found in Christ is a testimony of God’s goodness that he’s shared with his team and those close to him.
“Once I understood [true faith] and learned and was educated, I felt a different vibe,” he concluded. “I felt a different way of wanting to represent God — Jesus Christ, myself, my family, the way that I carry myself, the grace or honesty that you live life with.
“Perfect? Absolutely not. No question. But I know that it helped me when I actually built a relationship with a Power greater than myself in Jesus Christ.”
find someone who looks at you the way Liam Coen looks at Parker Washington
Now, in the hyper-competitive world of NFL football, with a nation’s eyes soon falling again on his sport, Coen has an opportunity to point others to Christ — the Fountain of true life — both in the 2026-27 season and beyond. Jacksonville’s first preseason game is Aug. 15 in New Orleans.
