
Jack Easterby is in his 5th season as the New England Patriots Team Character Coach as well as a Director of Team Development. In addition to his current role with the Patriots, Easterby has served in consulting roles for the National Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Southeastern Conference, the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, the United States Olympic Teams, as well as being entrusted with dozens of head coaching searches at both power five and mid major universities for multiple sports. He is a trusted confidant to players and coaches alike.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jack about the Patriots 2017 season, how this Super Bowl season differs from last year, Tom Brady off the field, and how players like Matthew Slater and Nate Solder are living out their faith in Christ as leaders on the team.
TIMELINE:
2:15 – What the 2017 Super Bowl season was like and watching the Patriots beat the Jaguars.
3:05 – Seeing new players on the team experience a Super Bowl season.
5:05 – His role and how he became a part of the Patriots organization.
7:25 – What the team Bible studies look like each week.
9:45 – How he balances being the team chaplain with being a “character coach” and ministering to those who aren’t believers.
12:30 – His relationship with Tom Brady
15:40 – Patriots players who are followers of Christ
19:40 – What Super Bowl week in Minneapolis looks like compared to other normal weeks.
QUOTES:
“How can we push people to become better men? How can we love the rooms, the couples better than we found them? The center of that is God’s word. How can we communicate God’s word?”
“Every year we set a theme. This year our theme was authentic, being an authentic man. Real recognizing real. Focusing on God’s character. Real love, real truth, authentic.”
“We base everything we do off of God. He has a plan and purpose for each and everyone of us.”
“It’s not about titles, it’s about your love for other people. The goal is to grow people. You put your hand in their hand, you put your eyes on their eyes, you love them, you serve them, you push them, you grow them and you do whatever it takes for them to see Christ in you. That’s the call for all Christians.”
“It’s been a privilege and blessing to walk the road with him (Tom Brady). To see him grow as a man, a husband and a father, to impact everyone in this building. It’s a privilege to watch him use his gifts. He’s an awesome dude.”
https://vimeo.com/122709784

Related Links:
– Matthew Slater on New England Patriots’ incredible Super Bowl LI win
– Patriots’ Devin McCourty relies on Jesus to help lead his family
– Football Sunday 2018: Seek, Surrender, Serve
– Download the Football Sunday edition of Sports Spectrum Magazine

Benjamin Watson played 16 seasons in the NFL (2004-19) with the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens. He won a Super Bowl in 2004-05 with the Patriots and played in another with New England in 2007-08.
He is also the author of three books and a college football analyst with the SEC Network.
Today on the podcast, Benjamin joins Matt Forte from Super Bowl Media Row in San Francisco to talk about overseas mission trips, Biblical justice and raising kids to follow Jesus.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
Well done @Sports_Spectrum team!! https://t.co/llMoinTiUu
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) February 8, 2026
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Jason Adam is a pitcher with the San Diego Padres. He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 2010 MLB Draft and made his big-league debut with the team in May 2018. In addition to the Royals and Padres, he has also pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays. He was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game in 2025.
Today on the podcast, Jason Adam joins Matt Forte to discuss progress in the recovery of his quad tendon rupture from September 2025, how God has helped him through it, dealing with doubt in his career, and the beauty of being a girl dad.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
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James Mitchell is the team chaplain and director of player development with the New England Patriots. Previously, he was with the Tennessee Titans as their team chaplain.
James joins the show to share about what this 2025-26 season has been like, coming to New England from Tennessee along with head coach Mike Vrabel, the Bible studies and chapel services he’s led, and what it means to see players be outspoken about their faith.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
"You can quote 20,000 Bible verses but that don't mean anything if you aren't living one."
Patriots team chaplain James Mitchell on the Sports Spectrum podcast. pic.twitter.com/iXiqUUvIMV
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) February 3, 2026
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Jonathan Rainey is the team chaplain of the 2025-26 NFC-champion Seattle Seahawks.
Jonathan joins the show to share about what this season has been like within the team, the Bible studies and chapel services he’s led, and what it means to see players be outspoken about their faith.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
"The theme was Jesus."
Jonathan Rainey @bigplayrainey is the Seahawks team chaplain. He talked about faith in the locker room and chapel services throughout the year for the NFC champs. pic.twitter.com/Zl3hYvtyE2
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) February 3, 2026
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