
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 Wainwright is a former MLB pitcher who played 18 years with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2005 to 2023. He finished his career with 200 wins, three All-Star selections, two World Series championships, two Gold Gloves and the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award.
In retirement, Wainwright is now serving as an analyst with FOX Sports’ MLB coverage while also pursuing a country music career.
Today, Adam Wainwright returns to the podcast to talk with Matt Forte about his journey of faith, retirement from baseball, using his platform to share the Gospel, his evolving music career, and balancing life as a broadcaster, husband and father.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
Two great shows so far in Illinois. First stop was in Bloomington and that was amazing! Tonight we were in Effingham, and tomorrow we’ll be in Marion at the Marion Culture and Civic Center! Y’all come check us out. Here is a little clip from tonight! Thank you Effingham!!! pic.twitter.com/iNge5hN6qU
— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) October 18, 2025
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Jordan Babineaux played nine seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans. He was undrafted after playing college football at Division-II Southern Arkansas.
Nicknamed “Big Play Babs,” Jordan played in Super Bowl XL with the Seahawks and made the famous tackle on Tony Romo after a botched field-goal attempt in the 2006 NFC Wild-Card Game between Seattle and Dallas.
Matt Forte welcomes Jordan Babineaux to the podcast to discuss his miraculous journey to the NFL and how he was able to overcome the loss of his dad to achieve success. Jordan also discusses his retirement and transition away from the game, and the importance of pivoting well.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
27 Days til the 2023 NFL Season Kicks off
#27 Jordan Babineaux was signed as a UDFA by the #Seahawks in 2004, making 10 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, 32 PBUs, 4 sacks & a safety in 7 seasons pic.twitter.com/18dak4460x
— Draft HBCU Players 🏈🏀⚾️ (@NFLMaliik) August 11, 2023
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Robert Griffin III played eight seasons in the NFL with Washington, Baltimore and Cleveland. In college at Baylor, RGIII won the 2011 Heisman Trophy, and later became the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to Washington. He is currently a broadcaster with Fox Sports and hosts the “Outta Pocket with RGIII” podcast with his wife, Grete.
Today on the Sports Spectrum Podcast, RGIII discusses his epic broadcasting moment in December 2025, his journey to Christ, responding to adversity, sharing his faith, his return to the NFL in 2018, his podcast, sharing his opinion, and advice he has on recovery from ACL injuries.
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Some people will hate you simply because they see you enjoying the success they don’t have from the work they haven’t done. Trust God and keep going.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 11, 2025
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Nolan McLean is a pitcher with the New York Mets. He was selected in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft after being a two-way player in college at Oklahoma State. After turning pro, he focused on being a full-time pitcher, and in August 2025 he made his MLB debut with the Mets, pitching 5.1 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in earning his first MLB win. In his eight appearances this year, he went 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 48 innings.
Today on the podcast, Matt Forte talks to Nolan McLean about his breakout 2025 season, making his MLB debut, choosing baseball over football at Oklahoma State, growing in his Christian faith, and why he posts his daily devotional to Instagram each day.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
The Mets have selected Nolan McLean in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
McLean was a two-way player for Oklahoma State this season, logging a .911 OPS and pitching to a 3.30 ERA. pic.twitter.com/JugNM5jgby
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 10, 2023
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