Matthew Slater podcast: 10-time Pro Bowler on faith, family, football

SS PODCAST: 10-time Pro Bowler Matthew Slater on faith, family, retirement, identity

By Sports Spectrum May 23, 2025

Matt Forte, left, and Matthew Slater, right. (Photo by Sports Spectrum)

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING MATTHEW SLATER

Matthew Slater played 16 seasons with the New England Patriots from 2008-23. He was a member of three Super Bowl championship teams, was selected to 10 Pro Bowls, and named a first-team All Pro two times. In 2017, he was named the Bart Starr Award winner, and in 2021 he won the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

Today on the podcast, Matt Forte sits down with Matthew Slater in person to discuss growing up with a Hall of Fame football-playing father, his first year with the Patriots after retiring, growing in his relationship with Jesus, focusing on who God is, and remaining humble.

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

How do we feel about drafting Matthew Slater 12 years ago today?!

Awww yeah. pic.twitter.com/Pvsk4pV3xQ

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 28, 2020

RELATED PODCASTS:
– Matthew Slater on Sports Spectrum in 2018
– Hunter Henry, NFL tight end

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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

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Coaches Football Sports Spectrum Podcast Video

SS PODCAST: SMU football head coach Rhett Lashlee on coaching as a calling, Godly leadership

By Sports Spectrum Jun 10, 2025

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING RHETT LASHLEE

Rhett Lashlee is the football head coach at SMU. He joined the program in 2022 after serving as an assistant coach for more than a decade with programs like Miami (Florida), Auburn and Connecticut.

In 2018 and 2019, he was SMU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, before taking the same roles at Miami for 2020 and 2021.

Today on the podcast, Rhett Lashlee shares insights on building a winning culture in college football, navigating the challenges of modern college athletics, leading his team to the College Football Playoff, and the significance of discipleship and community in maintaining spiritual health.

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

It’s simple, Christ died so that I, an unworthy hypocrite and a sinner, could LIVE. Love in its purest form. The Ultimate Sacrifice. #GoodFriday pic.twitter.com/CxRcWFnRY9

— Rhett Lashlee (@rhettlashlee) March 30, 2018