
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

On today’s episode, Matt invites his wife, Danielle Forte, to the show for a special Mother’s Day edition. Danielle shares about raising kids to love Jesus, why she is so passionate about being a mother, her adoption story, and the importance of keeping her identity in Jesus and not her role as a mom or wife.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
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Juwan Johnson is a tight end for the New Orleans Saints. He went undrafted in 2020 out of college after spending four seasons with Penn State and a fifth at Oregon. He signed with the Saints after the 2020 NFL Draft and has become an integral part of New Orleans’ offense. In 2025, he had his best season as a pro, with a career-high 77 receptions and 889 receiving yards.
Today on the podcast, Juwan Johnson opens up about how putting Christ first transformed his identity beyond the jersey. He shares about how to lead with a servant’s heart in the spotlight, from handling the pressures of the NFL to finding a deeper purpose off the field.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
Tyler Shough to Juwan Johnson to extend the Saints lead!
NOvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/JIHgAowlFE
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025
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Alex Highsmith is a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft after a stellar college career with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 49ers.
In 2022, Highsmith led the Steelers with a career-high 14.5 sacks and tied for the NFL lead with five forced fumbles. He was rewarded in July 2023 with a four-year contract extension. He will be entering his seventh season with Pittsburgh in 2026.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Alex Highsmith about representing Christ as a football player, growing in his faith, the pressure of performing on the field, and giving back to his community.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
"I want to be the best NFL player that I can be. But ultimately, what I do for Christ will last."
WATCH @Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith share his I ONCE WAS story. #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/qwFpqAPVuK
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) December 3, 2025
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Robert Mathis spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2003-16) and is the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks (123). He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2021, and won Super Bowl XLI with the team in 2006-07. He retired as the NFL’s career record holder in forced fumbles (52).
Matt Forte welcomes Robert Mathis to the Sports Spectrum Podcast to talk about his journey of faith in Christ, the worst year of his life in 2014, the power of prayer, his favorite quarterback to sack, and the Colts’ culture.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
Robert Mathis, who spent all of his 14 seasons with the @Colts and was part of the Super Bowl XLI winning squad, is now a Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. #PFHOF25 pic.twitter.com/CErpQyajCL
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 20, 2024
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