Faith Driven Athlete

Frank Kelly was a member of the first FCA Lacrosse Team in 1992 and played a major role in the founding and growth of the FCA Lacrosse ministry and FCA in Maryland. Kelly was FCA Maryland’s first board chairman, even before a full-time staff member was hired, and went on to serve in that role for 20 years. 

A former professional lacrosse player (National Lacrosse League’s Baltimore Thunder) and two-sport athlete at Cornell, Kelly walked us through the times in his life when sports were an idol and what changed when he put God above everything.

Useful Links:

One Foot in Business Another in Ministry

Mason Plumlee won a national championship at Duke in 2010 and now plays as center and power forward for the Denver Nuggets. We got to sit down with him and talk Coach K, the Cameron Crazies, and his experience transitioning to the NBA. 

But that’s not all. He talked to us about his entrepreneurial ventures, his investing philosophy, and his faith. We loved our conversation and think you will too. 

Useful Links:

Mason Plumlee

Mason Plumlee on Investing in Start-Ups

Mason Plumlee Career Duke Highlights

Founder Fridays

No one ever prepares to speak at their spouse’s funeral. But after a tragic car accident, Coach Monty Williams found himself burying his wife long before they had a chance to grow old together. 

But what happened in that moment was something powerful and unforgettable—he offered forgiveness to the driver who had killed his wife. 

Monty took us through this story, every painful detail, but he also talked about the hope he has found on the other side of tragedy and what he loves about coaching in the NBA.

Sports is a billion dollar industry. And while we all watch our favorite team on TV, few of us really know all the work that is going on behind-the-scenes to make that happen. 

Today, we’re talking to two professors who are preparing students for jobs in the professional sports world. Darin White is the Executive Director of the Center for Sports Analytics and Samford University and Kirk Wakefield is the Executive Director of the Sports, Strategy, and Sales program at Baylor University. 

Together, they’re going to walk about the money behind the game and the future men and women who are about to enter this profession…

Useful Links:

Darin White Twitter

S3 Major at Baylor

Samford Center for Sports Analytics

Ever wonder what it would be like to coach one of the most storied programs in NCAA football ever? Clay Helton can tell you. 

He’s the head coach of USC, and after growing up under a father whose coaching career took their family all over the country, it’s no surprise that Clay found himself full of a love for the game. 

He talked to us about life as a coach, dealing with unexpected injuries, and what it means for him to trust God, even when he has no idea what next season might look like…

Useful Links:

• Clay Helton Has His Priorities in Order
• Clay Helton Twitter
• Clay Helton Maintains Ties to Texas

If you’re at all familiar with college football, today’s guest needs no introduction, but here one is anyway. Mark Richt coached the Georgia Bulldogs for 15 years as one of the longest-tenured coaches in the conference where he won two SEC Championships. 

He then went to the University of Miami where he led the team to three consecutive bowl games before announcing his retirement in 2018. 

Coach Richt talked to us about the ups and downs of his career, transitioning from coach to analyst, and what his faith looked like along the way.

Today's podcast guest was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year—the only award that recognizes greatness on and off the field. And after talking with Sam Acho, we can assure you that he wasn't just a great football player, he's a great person. 

We covered a lot with him today—his early life growing up in Dallas, his football career, and what it means to be authentic in a world full of fakes. His story is one you won't want to miss.

Useful Links:

The Home Team Podcast

Sam Acho Website

Sam Acho on Faith and Fatherhood

Sam Acho on Social Justice

Hard to argue that there is a better halftime show than the NBA on TNT crew with Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and today’s guest, Ernie Johnson. 

Ernie shared with us just what makes that show so special (and so fun), as well as his personal story, which includes calling MLB games with his dad and his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ernie is an incredible man of faith, and he shared both the hilarious and the serious sides of his life with us today. 

You won’t want to miss this one…

Useful Links:

Ernie Johnson’s Faith Story

Ernie Johnson on Faith and Fatherhood

Unscripted

You’ve probably heard of the Pony Express. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the Pony Excess. Either way, there’s no doubt that the SMU football team of the 1980s was unforgettable. 

Today, we’re talking to one of their stars—Craig James. He talked to us about life during SMU’s hayday, the subsequent fallout over the bribery charges, life as a College Football analyst, why he chose to go to seminary, and what the future might look like. 

We covered a lot, so sit down, turn it up, and let’s hit the ground running...

Today we’re sitting down with the QB brothers Josh and Luke McCown, who have both travelled the NFL, playing for a combined 18 different teams. 

They talked to us all about that, what their sibling rivalry looks like, and how their passion for faith and football has guided their life stories. As always, thanks for listening.

Useful Links:

One Heck of a Journey

Friday Night Flights

What Are You Measured By?

Luke McCown Journey of Sports and Faith

We know you’re used to hearing from athletes themselves, but today we’re talking to two sports agents for a behind-the-curtain look into the business side of sports. 

Mike McCartney has represented players like Kirk Cousins and Kurt Warner. While Molly Fletcher, often referred to as the Jerry Maguire of female sports agents, has represented John Smoltz, Tom Izzo, and others. 

We found their take on faith and sports is unique, and we think you will too. As always, thanks for listening.

Useful Links:

The Molly Fletcher Company

Molly Fletcher Books

Mike McCartney Twitter

What’s the Life of an NFL Agent Really Like?

Today’s guest has one of the most fascinating stats you may ever hear. He was a part of the largest single-game comeback in NCAA history AND the largest single-game comeback in NFL history. 

Frank Reich took us inside both of these historical games, and then he shared with us the story of his personal comeback—his journey from the NFL to seminary, and back again to the NFL as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. 

Useful Links:

From Seminary President to NFL Head Coach

Frank About His Faith

NFL Coach Frank Reich Speaks Out on Faith and Work

The Greatest Comeback in NFL History

Today’s guest coaches the fastest game on two feet. Any guesses for what that might be? Lacrosse. But he’s not just any coach. 

Joe Breschi led the UNC Men’s Lacrosse team to a national championship in 2016, and today, he shared with us the journey of that season, but also the tragedy that preceded it and how God led him every step of the way. 

His story is one you won’t want to miss.

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Tragedy, Tears, and Triumphs

Heels Upset Notre Dame

Coffee and Doughnuts with Joe Breschi

Today, we’re taking some time to step away from the X’s and O’s to hear the personal story behind the game. 

Blake Anderson is the head coach of Arkansas State University. He has had immense success on the football field, leading the program to six consecutive winning seasons, six straight bowl appearances, and back to back Sun-Belt Conference championships in 2015 and 2016. 

Off the field, many College Football fans know about the tragic story of his wife Wendy’s battle with breast cancer and her passing last year. As Blake shared with us today, it is the adversity he has faced off the playing field and the second chances he’s been given that have shaped him into the coach, father, believer, and ultimately the man that he is today. Listen in to our conversation today…

Useful Links:

Blake Anderson AFCA Insider

Blake Anderson Found True Perspective

The College Football Playoff. It’s been around long enough for most of us to take it for granted...well, almost long enough. 

Most of us still remember the BCS bowl series and all the controversies surrounding who the real national champion was. But thanks to today’s guest, Bill Hancock, the College Football Playoff is the culmination of the NCAA football season. 

Today, Bill shared the origin story behind the CFP, and he also shared his personal testimony and how the death of his son affected his life and his faith. We were so grateful to get to sit down with Bill, and we think you’ll enjoy this conversation.

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Bill Hancock Stands as Symbol of Hope

Riding with the Blue Moth

I Can Never Say Thank You Enough

If you grew up collecting baseball cards, you’re going to love today’s show. We sat down and talked with Jim Beckett, creator of Beckett magazine, the gold standard for valuing trading cards. 

He shared with us his personal story, gave us some insight into the memorabilia collected in his office, and also told us about how he stewarded his influence to be a further encouragement to aspiring Faith Driven Entrepreneurs. 

Our time with him was fun, interesting, and educational, and we think you’ll enjoy it!

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Dallas’ Importance to the Sports Card World

Jim Beckett Lifetime Achievement Award

Earl Smith is the chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors. But his journey to arrive there is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. 

After being shot six times in a gang-related attack, Earl somehow survived, but then found himself in San Quentin prison—not as a prisoner, but as a chaplain. After spending twenty-three years that included playing chess with Charles Manson, negotiated truces between rival gangs, and bore witness to the final thoughts of many death row inmates, he now ministers to professional athletes.

As for the details of how this all happened, well, you’ll have to let him tell it. But trust us, it’s an incredible story you won’t want to miss…

Useful Links:

Death Row Chaplain Book

Earl Smith Discusses the Last Thoughts of Inmates

San Quentin’s Death Row Chaplain Video

Les Steckel’s story takes us through his experience as a marine, a vietnam war vet, a football player, and a football coach. 

We got to talk to him about all of it, where his faith came into the picture, and what his experience was like being a coach for 8 different NFL teams. 

He also shared with us the story behind one of the most famous plays in Super Bowl history. For more info on that, you’ll have to listen for yourself.

In the golf industry, there are few more recognized names of excellence than PING. Today’s show takes us to Phoenix to interview the CEO of PING, John Solheim. He’s the second generation of family leadership since the company’s inception in 1959. 

As recently as a few years ago, John had the unique opportunity to pass the baton to the third generation of leadership with his oldest son stepping in as company president. Today we take a look at their family’s journey to become a preeminent brand and what faith looks like in such a publicly recognized company. 

John said it best when he said that business is like the game of golf. It doesn’t matter what happened on the last shot that got you to where you are. You just have to hit the shot that’s in front of you and keep going to make your best score. For those of you used to hitting a lot of uncomfortable golf shots (fore left!), this episode will be a fun one.

Useful Links

Golfing for God’s Glory

PING’s New President Talks About Family Business

Excellence in Innovation

Jeff and Ally Davidson are the founders of Camp Gladiator, a Fitness Franchise that has over 3,500 locations across the country with 1,000 trainers and 100,000 members. They have a remarkable story of how God used a unique experience in the early days of reality TV to propel them in their entrepreneurial story. 

Just to give you a little taste, it started when Ally decided to try out for American Gladiators on the morning of their wedding. It’s an origin story unlike any other! 

As you listen, you’ll find that not only is their beginning remarkable, but the way their faith interacts with their work is as well. They know the value of community and of running a business on Biblical principles, and in this episode we get to hear them talk about both. Listen to find out more about their entrepreneurial journey, how it started, the hard decisions they’ve faced, and how they’re using their business to glorify God and serve others.

Useful Links:

Ally Davidson Inc Profile

The Camp Gladiator Mission

Camp Gladiator’s Ally Davidson: “Our Competition Is Netflix. Our Competition Is a Sedentary Lifestyle.” - Texas Monthly