Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard is one of the most decorated athletes in U.S. men’s soccer history. He has the most international appearances (121) for a U.S. goalie, started every game in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and set a record of 16 saves against Belgium in the ’14 Cup.
As the 39-year-old’s career begins to wind down, Howard spoke with Sports Spectrum about his disappointment in the U.S. not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and how he finds joy through his faith in Christ.
Stories of life transformation from the pro sports world
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Though Alex Highsmith grew up going to church, God was never real to him. In college, he tried out the party scene as a way to fit in, but ultimately found that lifestyle to be unfulfilling. Then when some friends introduced him to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he joined them. Soon thereafter at a larger conference, God opened Alex’s eyes and heart — he realized for first time that he’s a sinner in need of a Savior. With his heart thumping in his chest, Alex felt the Holy Spirit drawing him to the Lord. That night, Jesus became real.
Watch the video above to hear Alex Highsmith 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.
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze walks of the field following a win over Tottenham, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Eberechi Eze had an ambitious and specific prayer ahead of his first North London derby on Sunday. The Arsenal attacker asked God for a hat trick, something that hadn’t happened in a game between Arsenal and their local rivals Tottenham since 1978.
Only three players had ever accomplished the feat. But sure enough, Eze became the fourth, scoring his three goals in the span of 36 minutes and leading Arsenal to a 4-1 victory. After the game, he was quick to credit the faith that has helped sustain him throughout his career.
“It’s what I prayed for,” he told NBC Sports. “I prayed for it today, man, a hat trick. And I got it today, so I’m grateful to God. … That was the prayer today: a hat trick. And God gave it to me. That’s faith, man.”
The 27-year-old found the back of the net on both sides of halftime to extend the Premier League leaders’ advantage to 3-0. He added a third in the 76th minute to complete his hat trick and seal the win.
The game carried a special significance for Eze, who grew up an Arsenal fan and was released by the club as a youth player. He found his way to QPR and then Crystal Palace, where he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most creative players.
After scoring the goal that won Palace the FA Cup last season, Eze decided he was ready for a new challenge. He appeared destined to join Tottenham, but Arsenal came in with a late offer before the summer transfer window closed. The opportunity to return to his boyhood club, which was coming off back-to-back second-place finishes, was too good to pass up.
“I can only thank God for the opportunity to be here, to be playing and to be recognized in this type of manner,” he said in an interview with the club website once his move was official. “For me, this is what I wanted to do. [The club] is in me, it’s part of me and I just feel so blessed. That just gives me more energy to keep pushing and keep working.”
Eze has started eight of Arsenal’s 12 Premier League games this season, contributing four goals and two assists. He has also appeared in all four of the team’s Champions League games, and scored for England during the most recent international break.
Following Sunday’s historic performance, Eze took to Instagram to celebrate. His caption was just one word: Jesus.
Now playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world with aspirations of winning a Premier League title, leaning on his faith allows Eze to stay focused on his ultimate purpose.
“I’ve grown up in a Christian household, regularly going to church,” he told The Athletic in 2023. “For me, it’s hugely important, simply because of the peace of mind it gives me. It allows me to regulate myself and put things into perspective.
“Football can get super intense and you can get caught up in it all, but my faith allows me to realign my focus and know there’s something greater and that there’s a deeper purpose as to why I’m in the position I’m in.”
He says his faith in Jesus helps keep him steady amid the highs and lows of life and being a professional athlete.
“I’ve learned in myself that staying rooted in Christ throughout all the different phases is the most important thing because it allows you to see things with the right lens,” he said recently in another interview. “Things will change. Things go up, things go down, you don’t know what’s around the corner, you don’t know how things may look. The one solid rock and foundation is Christ. Having that allows me to deal with whatever circumstance I’m in.”
Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League table heading into a crucial week. They host German powerhouse Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday (3 p.m. ET) and visit Chelsea on Sunday (11:30 a.m. ET) in a meeting of the Premier League’s top two teams.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING EDDIE GEORGE
Eddie George played nine seasons in the NFL with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1996-2003) and Dallas Cowboys (2004). He was selected 14th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Oilers after a stellar collegiate career at Ohio State, where he won the 1995 Heisman Trophy.
In 2011, George was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and in 2019 his number 27 was retired by the Titans.
Currently, George is in his first season as the head coach at Bowling Green State University, after spending four years as Tennessee State’s head coach (2021-24).
Today on the podcast, fellow Pro Bowl running backs Matt Forte and Eddie George discuss George’s strong faith in Jesus Christ, rededicating his life to the Lord, why ballet is something that helped him as a running back, and lessons he learned in college at Ohio State.
THIS IS THE GET IN THE GAME PODCAST
WITH SCOTT LINEBRINK
Our guest today is Matthew Boyd, starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. In 2025, Boyd was named to the NL All-Star team and led the Cubs to the playoffs with a career-high 14 wins, to go along with a 3.21 ERA and 154 strikeouts.
Matthew Boyd joins Scott Linebrink to discuss his perspective on playing baseball as a divine calling rather than just a sport. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, daily commitment, and the role of faith in overcoming challenges.
