THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
WITH JON ACKERMAN, FEATURING MALLORY PUGH
Mallory Pugh is a professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League, and also a member of the United States women’s national team. She’s earned 72 appearances for the national team, scoring 23 goals and 24 assists.
In 2016, she became the youngest player in the previous 11 years to make her USWNT debut. Later that year, Pugh participated in the Rio Olympics as the youngest player on the USWNT Olympic roster and became the youngest American to ever play and score in the Olympics. She also played and scored a goal in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which the U.S. won.
Today on the podcast, Jon Ackerman talks to Mallory Pugh about her recent engagement to Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, why 2021 was a year of growth in her relationship with Christ, what discipleship looks like for her, and her desire to continue to play soccer at the highest level.
Manchester City's Jeremy Doku chases after the ball against Liverpool on Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
The buildup to Sunday’s showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool centered around the 1,000th game of Pep Guardiola’s legendary managerial career coming against City’s greatest rival during his time at the club. The teams have combined to win the last eight Premier League titles, finishing in the top two spots on three occasions.
By the time the final whistle blew to make City’s 3-0 victory official, however, Guardiola was no longer the story. His left winger, Jeremy Doku, was.
In the first half, the 23-year-old Belgian international drew a penalty kick (though it was missed by teammate Erling Haaland) and led all players in just about every attacking statistic outside of goal contributions.
It was one of the most impressive individual Premier League performances in recent memory, and Doku did it while being subbed off in the 74th minute. He became the first player to score, win 10 duels, complete seven dribbles, create three chances and put three shots on target since fellow countryman Eden Hazard did so for Chelsea in 2019.
Now in his third season at City after joining from French club Stade Rennais, Doku is playing some of the best soccer of his career. He has three goals and four assists in 16 appearances across all competitions so far this season. Six of his seven goal contributions have come in the Champions League or Premier League.
Asked by NBC Sports on Sunday whether he felt like he’d taken his game to another level, Doku attributed his excellent form to a deeper relationship with God and the role faith plays in his life.
“What changed for me this season, I have God in my life,” he said. “That’s what changed, and that’s what you can see. On the pitch, I have His presence with me. That’s the difference. I’m just happy that now I can just deliver the way I want to play without any fear or doubt or anything.”
To celebrate the goal, Doku pointed to himself, wagged his finger and pointed to the sky. He wanted everyone to know that it was about the Lord, not him. It’s been a busy past two months for Doku off the field too, as he has gotten married and baptized.
His baptism followed a two-assist performance in a victory over crosstown rival Manchester United on Sept. 14.
“As a Christian, when you get baptized, your old nature, your old sinful nature dies, and you start living with God,” he told the BBC while discussing his baptism. “You resurrect with God, with Jesus Christ. You can do that as a kid but normally it’s meant for when you’re older and you really realize what you’re doing.
“… It’s the center of my life. There’s nothing more important to me than faith.”
Doku also recently began releasing a documentary series on YouTube that gives fans an inside look into his life off the field. He explained in a clip promoting the documentary that his main reason for doing it is to share the Gospel. He wants his testimony to inspire others.
“I don’t care about the money the YouTube is going to make, how many viewers, I don’t care,” he said. “But if I can open someone’s eyes or heart, open someone’s mind, to see what I saw, and to go deeper in his Christianity, I’m happy, you know? Even if it’s one person.”
Faith is a focus in many of the shows. In Episode 4, “Back to Ghana After 17 years,” Doku references Matthew 25:40 when talking about his desire to serve others.
“I just want to be a giver as well and help people in need,” he said. “That’s what God says: ‘If you give to the least, you give it to Him.’ Doing everything I’m going to do here, that’s the most important part for me: the charity and helping the people in need because that’s what I can give back with the talent that God gave me.”
Doku was included in Belgium’s 26-man squad for its upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan (Nov. 15) and Liechtenstein (Nov. 18). The Red Devils are currently atop their qualification group and on track to reach the World Cup in the U.S. this coming summer.
City return to action following the international break on Nov. 22 when they visit Newcastle United.
Kelvin Beachum in September 2025. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING KELVIN BEACHUM
Kelvin Beachum is a 14-year NFL offensive lineman with the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016) and New York Jets (2017-19) before joining Arizona in 2020.
Today on the podcast, Kelvin Beachum joins his former Jets teammate Matt Forte for a conversation on his remarkable journey in the league, his faith, and the lessons learned from his upbringing. Beachum reflects on his career, life beyond football, his infamous 1996 Green Monster Tahoe, lessons from playing with Matt, and the role of Jesus in his life.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING KENT JOHNSON & OWEN POWER
Owen Power is a defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres. He was selected first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, and made his NHL debut on April 12, 2022, against Toronto.
Kent Johnson is a center for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was selected fifth overall in the same 2021 NHL Draft, and made his NHL debut April 13, 2022, against Montreal.
Power and Johnson were teammates in college at the University of Michigan.
Today on the podcast, Owen Power and Kent Johnson talk about their time together in college, being top-five picks in the same draft, growing in their faith in Jesus, and how they want to live out their faith through the platform of hockey.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING GOLDEN TATE
Golden Tate played 11 years in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He was selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by Seattle and was a member of the 2013-14 Seahawks Super Bowl-winning team. In 2014, he signed with the Lions and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
Today on the podcast, Tate joins Matt Forte to discuss choosing the NFL over MLB, his experience at Notre Dame, growing in his relationship with Jesus, appearing on Fox’s “World’s Toughest Test,” and his favorite jersey swap story.
