(Photo courtesy of Andrew East and Shawn Johnson East)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Andrew East is a former professional football player. Shawn Johnson East is a former Olympic gymnastics gold medalist. Together, they are now creating content on their YouTube channel “The East Family” with more than 1 million subscribers. They also host their own podcast, “Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew.” They were married in April 2016 and their daughter, Drew, was born in October 2019. Their second child is expected this summer.
Shawn’s Olympic success saw her come away with a gold and three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Since then, she’s competed on “Dancing with the Stars” and written three books.
Andrew played college football at Vanderbilt as a long snapper, and had stints in the NFL with the Chiefs, Seahawks, Raiders, Rams, Jaguars and Washington.
Today on the podcast, we talk with Andrew and Shawn about their engagement at Wrigley Field, the importance of faith in their life, preparing for baby No. 2, Andrew’s NFL debut, and stewarding their large platforms well.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING TAUREN WELLS
Tauren Wells is a multi-Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning recording artist, author, podcast host and pastor. His song “Hills and Valleys” reached near the top of the Christian music charts after it was released. His latest EP, “Let the Church Sing,” released in March 2025. And his new book, “Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus’ Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life,” comes out May 20.
In 2024, Tauren and his wife, Lorna, launched Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, where he serves as the senior pastor.
Today on the podcast, Tauren Wells shares with Matt and Jason about his relationship with NBA star Stephen Curry, hearing his songs be used as an influence for sports teams, what it means to have the ego sanctified, and why strength is found in service.
Former New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr points heavenward after a touchdown, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Four-time Pro-Bowl quarterback Derek Carr announced Saturday that he is retiring from the NFL after 11 professional seasons. The 34-year-old former New Orleans Saint and Oakland/Las Vegas Raider ends his career with 257 regular-season touchdown passes and 41,245 passing yards while completing 65.1% of his throws.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with (my wife) Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said in a statement released by the Saints. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
In a post on his Instagram account, Carr wrote, “Through it all, I gave this game everything I had every single day. I sleep well knowing that I gave my teammates, my coaches, and my cities my all. Now, I look forward to whatever God has next and I’ll pursue it with the same fire I brought to the field.”
He also posted a video of Heather documenting her husband’s activities on the first day of his retirement.
In late March, while preparing for the 2025 season, Carr and his doctors discovered he had a labral tear and significant degenerative changes to the rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder. He ultimately opted for retirement rather than undergo surgery and miss most, if not all, of the season.
Carr spent the last two years with the Saints after nine with the Raiders, the franchise that drafted him 36th overall out of Fresno State in 2014. He is the all-time leader in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns in Raiders history.
Throughout his career, Carr has boldly proclaimed his faith in Jesus. He has a tattoo of a Chi Rho (an early Christian symbol) on his right wrist and one referencing the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11on his left.
“All the self-glory, that stuff is fleeting. I’ve already been through that,” Carr said after a 2021 win with the Raiders. “God took me to a place that all I want to do is glorify Him, and wherever He’s going, that’s where I want to go. So if it’s a win, awesome. If not, I’m still gonna glorify Him.”
In a Sports Spectrum video from 2014, Carr explained how he first became a believer. He was claiming to love God while in college at Fresno State, but his actions weren’t reflecting it. It was then that Heather (just a friend at the time) wrote him a letter to challenge him in his faith. He apologized to Heather, repented and trusted anew in Christ.
“That next week, we had a game at the University of Ole Miss. I got up in front of my whole team and I told them, ‘Guys, I’ve been calling myself a Christian, and I haven’t been living it. You guys know what I’ve been doing. I’m a Christian now, and I’ve asked God for His forgiveness. Now watch how I live my lifestyle.'”
Later, he added, “That’s how I know He’s with me — because I have a peace and a joy. I can’t describe it, but I have it and I know it’s real.”
Carr is a gifted speaker and has accepted many invitations to speak at churches throughout his time in the football spotlight. In fact, he nearly quit football years ago to become a pastor before ultimately realizing God had called him to the gridiron.
“It was in that moment where I think the Lord knew that my heart was His, and I’ve been able to minister to thousands of people,” Carr said in 2022 on “The High Note” podcast, hosted by Christian musician Tauren Wells. “I’ve been in stadiums — 15,000, 18,000 people — preaching the Gospel and watching thousands of people get saved. I’ve seen healings take place. I’ve seen people set free. I’ve seen marriages reunite. I’ve seen kids come back home. All while playing football.”
As he said during a Night of Worship event with the Saints last year, “God did something in my life. He radically transformed and changed my life and I can’t help but tell people about Jesus.”
Now, as Carr’s playing days have come to a close, he knows that God’s call on his life to proclaim the Good News of Christ never will.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING CHI BRALEY
Chi Braley is a survivor. The former professional field hockey player has an incredible story. She was raped at age 12, then trafficked by age 13 as a sex-slave. For seven years she was drugged and sold to hundreds of men. She was rescued at the age of 19, and after coming to Christ in her 20s she began work as a media producer. She’s currently a producer at the Christian Broadcasting Network and “The 700 Club.”
Today on the podcast, Chi Braley shares her incredible story of redemption, forgiveness, motherhood and Jesus.
Kendrick Bourne in 2024. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING KENDRICK BOURNE
Kendrick Bourne is a wide receiver with the New England Patriots. He went undrafted in 2017 despite having a stellar college career at Eastern Washington, but eventually signed with the San Francisco 49ers, making the final roster as a rookie. He spent four seasons in San Francisco (2017-20) before signing with New England in 2021. He’s scored 11 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Patriots.
Today on the podcast, Kendrick Bourne shares his powerful story of surrendering to Jesus in Miami, God’s grace in his life, teaching his kids about Christ, and living out his faith in the NFL.
