
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

Adam Thielen played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was originally undrafted in 2013 after a stellar career with Division-II Minnesota State. He spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Vikings before moving to Carolina in 2023 and 2024. In his final season of 2025, he returned to Minnesota before finishing with the Steelers.
His 13-year career includes two Pro Bowl invitations, three 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and an NFL-record eight straight games in which he surpassed 100 receiving yards in 2018.
Today on the podcast, Adam Thielen talks with Matt Forte about his decision to retire from the NFL in 2026, the feeling he’ll have watching an NFL game on a Sunday for the first time, his incredible journey from Division-II undrafted player to Pro Bowl wide receiver, and how choosing to follow Jesus has been the cornerstone of his life.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED PODCASTS:
– Vikings legend CJ Ham on Sports Spectrum in May 2024
– Ben Roethlisberger, Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB
Emeka Egbuka is a wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a stellar college career that saw him lead Ohio State to a national championship in 2024. In his first season with Tampa in 2025, Egbuka had team-leading 63 receptions, 938 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Today on the podcast, Emeka Egbuka returns to the show to talk with Matt Forte about his recent marriage, draft day memories from 2025, adjusting to life in the NFL, staying strong in his faith, and having Baker Mayfield as a teammate.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED PODCASTS:
– Emeka Egbuka on Sports Spectrum in 2024
– Ben Roethlisberger, Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB
Nathan Carter is a second-year running back with the Atlanta Falcons. He went undrafted in April 2025 but signed with Atlanta, where he was able to make the team out of training camp and play in seven games his rookie season. He played his college football at UConn and Michigan State.
Today on the podcast, Nathan Carter shares about the difference between Year 1 and Year 2 in preparation for the NFL season. He also speaks on his faith in Jesus, how he’s moved to tell others about Christ, and serving with Compassion International on a mission trip with his wife earlier this year.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/pLuPZ6fSwp
— Nathan Carter (@_natecarter5) May 31, 2026
RELATED PODCASTS:
– Nathan Carter on Sports Spectrum in 2023
– Ben Roethlisberger, Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB
Oscar Tshiebwe is an NBA player with the Houston Rockets. He went undrafted out of Kentucky in 2023 after winning the 2022 Naismith Player of the Year award and being named a first-team All-American in 2022 and second-team All-American in 2023. He led all of college basketball in rebounding in ’22 and ’23.
After signing a two-way deal with the Indiana Pacers and then with the Utah Jazz, he led the G League in rebounding in 2024 and 2025. On April 12 in the NBA, Tshiebwe posted a career-high 29 points and 17 rebounds against the L.A. Lakers. He signed with the Rockets as a free agent on July 24.
Today on the podcast, Oscar Tshiebwe returns to the show to tell us about his NBA Draft experience, how he left money on the table in trusting in God’s plan, celebrating the Lord even though he was undrafted, what it means to have courage in the dark, writing a book, and how he has mastered the art of rebounding.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
📽️ Así juega Oscar Tshiebwe, uno de los interiores más dominantes de la NCAA y actual jugador de los Utah Jazz
🏀 Un pívot de vieja escuela, que podría marcar diferencias en la Euroliga
📝 Scouting report, aquí:
🔗: https://t.co/hIYJLbJkqipic.twitter.com/yxTUFLh1CS
— Fran Díaz (@FranDiazzScout) September 29, 2025
RELATED PODCASTS:
– Oscar Tshiebwe on Sports Spectrum in 2022
– William Gates, Star of “Hoop Dreams”
