Tony Dungy podcast: Hall of Fame coach on adoption, evangelism

Coaches Football Sports Spectrum Podcast

SS PODCAST: Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy on adoption, staying connected to God

By Sports Spectrum May 20, 2025

Tony Dungy in December 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE AND JASON ROMANO, FEATURING TONY DUNGY

Tony Dungy is a Super Bowl-winning, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach. He’s currently doing analyst work with NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football.”

Today on the podcast, we welcome back Tony Dungy to talk about his adoption story (12 kids!), staying connected to God, being bold in his faith, and encouraging others to share their faith as well.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

Friday night had been terrible for Jesus’ followers. Their leader had been arrested and killed. They hastily buried him, leaving everyone frightened and confused. No one had expected this.
After observing the Passover Mary Magdalene went with some women Sunday morning to finish… pic.twitter.com/xAXsFqK3M6

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) April 20, 2025

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Baseball Media Sports Spectrum Podcast

SS PODCAST: Former MLB player Xavier Scruggs on rising media career, trusting God’s plan

By Sports Spectrum Jun 20, 2025

(Photo courtesy of Xavier Scruggs)

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING XAVIER SCRUGGS

Xavier Scruggs is a baseball analyst with ESPN and the MLB Network. As a player, Scruggs was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19th round of the 2008 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut with St. Louis on Sept. 4, 2014. After two seasons with the Cardinals, he moved to the Miami Marlins in 2016. In December 2016, he made the decision to sign with the NC Dinos in South Korea, where he hit .300 with 35 home runs in 2017.

Today on the podcast, Xavier Scruggs joins us to discuss the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life, the significance of setting boundaries, and the role of faith in navigating life’s transitions. Scruggs reflects on his testimony, the impact of tragedy on his faith, and the providence of God in his career changes, ultimately highlighting the importance of using one’s platform to inspire others.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

"It really means nothing compared to Jesus Christ, my savior."
– Baseball Player @Xavier_Scruggs on John 3:30 #TheIncrease pic.twitter.com/guUPfChFal

— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) December 19, 2018

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Football I Once Was Video

WATCH: ‘I ONCE WAS’ – NFL Tight End Tyler Mabry

By Jon Ackerman Jun 18, 2025

I ONCE WAS

Stories of life transformation from the pro sports world

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Tyler Mabry was raised by parents who regularly brought him to church, but when he got to college, he realized they weren’t there to do that anymore. He couldn’t rely on their faith; he had to develop his own. What he discovered was that following Jesus wasn’t just for church; he had to walk with Him daily. Tyler has since surrendered his life to God, discovered how to live a repentant lifestyle, and experienced being a new creation in Christ. He now continues to grow his faith by living in community with believers, and aiming to bring others to Christ so that they too can know He’s the lover of their souls.

Watch the video above to hear Tyler Mabry tell his “I Once Was” story.

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We’re all in the middle of a story, and whether we admit it or not, we want our stories to matter. It’s those stories of deep and lasting impact that come to life when a person encounters Jesus, and responds to Him by faith. “I Once Was” invites those in the pro sports world to share their own transformational stories, describing the very moment that changed their lives forever.

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Basketball Coaches Sports Spectrum Podcast Video

SS PODCAST: Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt on becoming a new mom, leading with love

By Sports Spectrum Jun 17, 2025

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING JACIE HOYT

Jacie Hoyt is the women’s basketball head coach at Oklahoma State University, a role she took over in March 2022 after serving as the head coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 2017 to 2022. In 2024-25, Hoyt led the Cowgirls to 25 wins and their second NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons.

Today on the podcast, Jacie Hoyt returns to the show to share about her experiences of leading a team with a strong sense of community and faith, her personal struggles with infertility, and the joy of returning to coaching shortly after giving birth. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of college basketball, including the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, and how she navigates these changes while maintaining her commitment to her players and their development.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

Home 📍

Grateful for an administration who believes in me, and thankful for the players and coaching staff who bought into the vision and put in the work to make it all possible! Being a part of @OSUAthletics and this community is an honor! Loyal & True…let’s keep climbing 🧡🤠 https://t.co/v07nWfDJ8z

— Jacie Hoyt (@CoachJacie) April 3, 2025

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Football Sports Spectrum Podcast

SS PODCAST: Matt Forte’s dad Gene on Father’s Day, parenting, discipleship, legacy

By Sports Spectrum Jun 13, 2025

Matt Forte, left, and Gene Forte, right. (Photo courtesy of Matt Forte)

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING GENE FORTE

Gene Forte is the father of our Sports Spectrum host, Matt Forte. Gene was a defensive tackle at Tulane University from 1974 to 1978, and Matt played as a running back there from 2004 to 2007.

Today on the show, Gene joins his son Matt on a special Father’s Day edition of the Sports Spectrum Podcast. The conversation touches on the impact of fatherlessness in society, the power of forgiveness, and redemption in parenting. Gene shares valuable insights on how to be a good father, emphasizing love, discipline and the importance of spiritual guidance.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

Matt Forte and his father, Gene. One family, 2 generations of football players… 2 different takes on hairstyles. pic.twitter.com/wkAPshOhvt

— E60 (@E60) November 4, 2015