Matt Forte. (Photo Courtesy: Matt Forte/Instagram @MForte22)
New York Jets running back Matt Forte has prioritized seeking out God as one of the most important areas in his life. In the upcoming video “Football Sunday 2018,” the veteran running back talks about how he seeks God in his daily life.
“Seeking God requires intentionally, not just routinely listening to a sermon on Sunday or going to chapel before a game. It’s about meditating on God’s Word throughout each day. In the morning on my way to work, I don’t turn on the radio; instead I talk to God. On the way home, I listen to a sermon that can bring me wisdom and insight into God’s truth. Seeking God requires a posture of saying, ‘Lord, I want to know You more. I want to grow in relationship with You.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIyDPFvEzpc
For more on what Matt Forte has to say about seeking God, and to learn about Football Sunday, go to www.FootballSunday.com.
Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud smiles on the practice field, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Texans superstar quarterback C.J. Stroud regularly gives back to the people of Houston on Sundays in the fall with his spectacular plays and record-breaking performances. Yet even in the NFL offseason, when the spotlight on his life retreats for a time, Stroud still finds ways to give back to the city that has embraced him as its own.
Most recently, the youth at Space City Church were the beneficiaries of the third-year quarterback’s generosity.
Some of the kids at Space City Church were in need of financial assistance to attend a church camp in Waxahachie, Texas, later this week, so pastor Vaughaligan Walwyn decided to reach out for some help. He typed up an email to the C.J. Stroud Foundation, and not only was it answered, it was answered with a promise that the fees for seven kids (the same as Stroud’s jersey number) would be fully covered.
“It means the world,” Walwyn, affectionately known as Pastor Von Won, told KPRC 2 in Houston last week. “For C.J. and his foundation to pay those fees and help us in any capacity, it’s a blessing. It can be a big pressure sometimes, and the last thing we want is a parent stressing out. Church camp impacted my life in a huge way.
“Ultimately, it’s a blessing to see the C.J. Stroud Foundation help us. We seek God to work through them and give us the fuel we need for ministry.”
This story really started last September, however, when Texans team chaplain Mikado Hinson invited Pastor Von Won to speak at the team’s chapel service ahead of its Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston won the contest, 24-20, following Stroud’s game-winning touchdown pass with 18 seconds remaining.
Walwyn’s message from the night before hit home with Stroud, so much so that it was still on the mind of the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in his postgame press conference.
“[Pastor Von Won] was talking about, ‘You gotta go through the mud before you get to the miracle,'” Stroud said. “That resonated with me. Not only just in ball but just in life. It’s not always perfect but, you know, the mud makes you who you are. I think the mud we have is self-inflicted mud, but I feel like that kind of motivates us in a sense. It motivates me.”
Last August, in the lead-up to his second professional season, Stroud joined the Sports Spectrum Podcast to discuss his identity in Christ and his boldness to speak His name publicly.
“People will assume that since I proclaimed Christ that I’m perfect,” he said on the podcast. “I am far from it, and we all are. We all are striving to be more Christlike. … I’m flawed just like everybody else, but I do believe in the perfect One. And He’s the One who keeps me humble. He’s the One who gave me my talents and He will get the glory for it right back.”
In January, he said his goal for 2025 had nothing to do with football.
“Really just locking back in with the Lord. … That’s really my 2025 goal,” he said. “It’s just to be locked in with the Lord as much as possible. Fasting and praying, being a part of getting discipled.”
Stroud has quickly endeared himself to the people of Houston with his leadership, his play on the field, and his community involvement off of it. As millions of adoring fans look on, Stroud will seek to continue to live boldly for Christ and bring glory to Him.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH JASON ROMANO, FEATURING JARED ALLEN
Jared Allen played 12 NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by Kansas City. Over his career, Allen led the NFL in sacks twice (2007, 2011), was named to five Pro Bowls, and was selected as an AP first-team All-Pro four times. After his retirement in 2016, he was named to the Vikings Ring of Honor, and in 2025 was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Today on the podcast, Jared Allen speaks to Jason Romano at the Arise with the Guys event in Minneapolis, where Tony Dungy named Allen his Uncommon Award winner of 2025. We ask Jared about being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his testimony of faith in Jesus, and playing with Matt Forte in his short stint with the Bears.
THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK
On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have NC State defensive end Isaiah Shirley.
Isaiah shares about his journey to play football at NC State, serving with Athletes in Action, and crash-course life lessons he’s learned along the way.
Eli Stowers in November 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING ELI STOWERS
Eli Stowers is a tight end with Vanderbilt University. In 2024 with the Commodores, he was an All-SEC first-team selection after catching 49 passes for 638 yards and five touchdowns. In the Birmingham Bowl, Stowers had 55 receiving yards and a touchdown in helping Vanderbilt to a 35-27 win over Georgia Tech.
Prior to his time at Vanderbilt, Stowers played receiver and quarterback at New Mexico State (2023) and Texas A&M (’21 and ’22).
Today on the podcast, Eli Stowers shares about his decision to return to college for one more season in 2025, growing in his faith, and how the lows of life have helped draw him closer to God. Eli then asks Matt for advice on preparing for a possible pro football career.
