Tag Archives: Christian

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“Conversations” with Ryan Mathews

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This edition of Sports Spectrum “Conversations” features Ryan Mathews, an outfielder in the Oakland Athletics organization. This past spring, Mathews hit 17 HRs and helped his teammates at NC State advance to the Super-Regionals of the NCAA baseball tournament. Ryan joins us to talk about his faith, his NCAA tournament experience, getting drafted, and what life is like in the minor leagues.

To hear the full interview, including Ryan’s thoughts on the A’s playoff run, if he’s ever faced a pitcher who throws as hard as Justin Verlander, and how he shares the Gospel though Twitter, click the link to the podcast. Continue reading →

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From the Archives: Payne Stewart

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The putt only covered 15 feet, but it seemed more like 100 to the gallery gathered at the eighteenth hole at Pinehurst No. 2 on that early Sunday evening in June 1999. It traveled uphill, broke ever so slightly to the right…and slipped gently into the cup.

Payne Stewart, wearing his trademark knickers and argyle socks, hoisted the ball up to the heavens. The crowd roared. And for the second time in his career, Stewart was crowned champion of the U.S. Open–the most prestigious event for American golfers. The victory would be his last on the PGA Tour.

Four months later, on October 25, 1999, Payne Stewart entered the gates of heaven after his private jet plowed into a dirt field in Minot, South Dakota, taking the lives of Stewart and three business associates. His death at only 42 years old shook the golf world and the entire nation… Continue reading →

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Around the Net – Brees breaks record, Pettitte starts Game 2, Hamilton done in Texas?

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Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas’ record last night…

Andy Pettitte will go for an MLB-record 20th postseason win for the Yankees tonight. Former manager Buck Showalter comments on Pettitte’s success…

Josh Hamilton may have worn out his welcome in Texas. But he says that wherever he may go in free agency, it will be where God directs him to go…

Tebow tweets about playing in the 666th Monday night game, Bubba Watson tweets about a party in heaven, and Jim Irsay tweets about delivering the game ball to Chuck Pagano… Continue reading →

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From the Archives — Center Stage

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Many didn’t think the Saint Louis Cardinals would be in the playoff hunt without Albert Pujols, but the Cards are once again contending for the playoffs, and Carlos Beltran is having his best home run season since 2007, the third best in his 15-year career, and has tallied his most RBIs since 2008. This story was published in the July-August 2005 issue of Sports Spectrum.

It would make perfect sense if Carlos Beltran were just a little uncomfortable in New York. Actually, it’s strange that he’s not.

Suddenly, he’s one of the biggest names in the biggest media market in the country. When he pulled on a Mets uniform before the first day of spring training, he had about 15 reporters watching his every move—a stark contrast to the scene a year ago when he was playing the final year of his contract in Kansas City… Continue reading →

David Akers

Through the Fire

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It’s only fitting that San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers considers the Old Testament account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego his favorite Bible story. These three guys not only survived being thrown into a fiery furnace, but Jesus was seen there in the fire with them through it all. The same can be said of Akers, a devout Christian who has faced some trying times over the past few years… Continue reading →

Airing it Out — Oh, when the Saints go cashing in

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“Cart-offs” and “knockouts” aren’t terms that normally produce thoughts of leadership and the NFL. If anything, they make me think of the anything-goes-world of boxing.

But that terminology, made infamous this past spring because of the connection to the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, or “Bounty Gate” as it’s been dubbed, is actually synonymous with the NFL and a lack of leadership… Continue reading →

Hunter Kemper

Struggles make triathlete Hunter Kemper refocus priorities

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Triathlete Hunter Kemper finished 14th on Tuesday in the London 2012 men’s triathlon, becoming the top American men’s finisher in all four Olympic games since the triathlon made its debut 12 years ago. He covered the 1,500-meter swim, 43-kilometer bike, 10-kilometer run course in 1 hour, 48 minutes, 46 seconds. He was seventh in 2008 in Beijing, ninth in 2004 in Athens and 17th in 2000 in Sydney. Our story on Kemper was published in the Vol. 26, No. 3 issue of  Sports Spectrum magazine… Continue reading →

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Gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross talks about faith, family and fame

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On Sunday, Sanya Richards-Ross won the gold medal in the women’s 400 meters. She will also be running in the 4×400-meter relay on Saturday, Aug. 11. She is a four-time Olympic medalist (three gold, one bronze), an eight-time World Championships medalist (six gold, two silver), and the American record holder in the 400 meters. She is married to NFL defensive back Aaron Ross, who played on the New York Giants Super Bowl-winning teams in 2007 and 2012. The couple, who began dating in 2003 when they were student-athletes at the University of Texas, was married on Feb. 26, 2010. Aaron will play for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. Read this exclusive interview that Sports Spectrum partner 2K Plus International Sports Media had with Richards-Ross. Continue reading →

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Jo van de Winkel, South Africa, discusses cycling and motivation

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“You have to keep motivated. It’s hard for us because we come to Europe and a six-month season here, and we go back to South Africa and the summer season starts there. So, you have to take breaks along the way to keep your motivation and your mind fresh for the races. My faith has also played a role in that and just trusting in God and knowing that He’ll get you through the tough times and setting goals for yourself on the way and believing in yourself that you can get there and He can help you through any difficult times you have and stay motivated and positive…” Continue reading →

2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Olympic high jumper sees God in opportunity

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LONDON (BP) — The fact that Jesse Williams is even on the U.S. Olympic team may seem like a fluke to some.

The U.S. high jumper finished fourth in the Olympic trials earlier this summer, and only the top three qualify for the Olympics. But third-place finisher Nick Ross didn’t have the Olympic ‘A’ standard necessary, 7’7″, so Williams squeaked in… Continue reading →

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