Brock Huard's Above & Beyond: The Intersection of Faith and Sports

Brock Huard and Jeff Foxworthy

Imagine being one of the best in the world at what you do with your entire career ahead of you. Now picture it being taken away in an instant, never being able to perform at your job ever again. As an All-American linebacker at Georgia and a first round pick in the NFL draft, David Pollack knew exactly how that felt. While it would have been easy to retreat into depression and bitterness, David's faith in God's provision provided an unshakeable resolve to press forward into uncharted territories for him and his family. Having recently been let go by ESPN, Pollack joins Above and Beyond in the midst of career uncertainty…and yet shares the exact same resolve and faith that powers his infectious joy and belief in God's plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ESPN Sportscenter host and anchor Sage Steele set out to fulfill her childhood dream of a career in sports media at an early age. Motivated by the examples of perseverance, determination and faith set forth by her trailblazing parents, Sage has become a staple on the set of ESPN's Sportscenter broadcasts. Be inspired and encouraged as Sage shares her journey through adversity, and the motivation and determination she discovered through faith and family to stand firm in her convictions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Star high school athlete, coach's son, getting drafted as a baseball player, major college starting quarterback…none of these identities gave Joel Klatt the sense of fulfillment he always expected. After years of searching and spinning his wheels trying to find purpose, it was the shining light of his future wife that gave him the glimpses of peace he had always sought. Be encouraged as FOX football analyst Joel Klatt shares hopeful story of redemption from battles with alcohol and his raw experiences breaking down the facades he had hidden behind as he was transformed by a Faith defined by surrender and relationship with God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one thing to say you believe...but what are you doing about it? MLB umpire and Washington native Mike Muchlinski joins Brock Huard to share his journey through baseball to the height of his craft. Be encouraged by his commitment to his calling to live a life of integrity in a high-leverage role in Major League Baseball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to step out in faith when your family is counting on you? Jason Romano put behind a career at ESPN to follow a calling: to spread the Gospel with his gifts and connections in sports. Hear how Jason came to understand what it means to believe, to overcome hurt from addiction in his family, and to follow your calling. Follow Jason's journey with Sports Spectrum at https://sportsspectrum.com/, and read his work at https://www.jasonromano.com/.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football fans remember Sam Acho as a disruptive pass rusher, but his teammates saw much more than a guy who collapses the pocket. Sam joins Brock Huard to share his journey, from being overlooked at Vanderbilt football camp to turning down a scholarship offer from Pete Carroll at USC to playing playoff football in the NFL. Be encouraged by Sam's perspective on living an authentic life without shying away from the convictions of your Faith, and hear how his parents' commitment to shepherding their children made him a leader later in life. Read more about Sam's journey in his book "Let the World See You", available at Amazon.com and other online book stores. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you know if what you're doing has any meaning? Super Bowl winning QB Nick Foles has found himself at seemingly inexplicable junctures of his career time and again. And yet, despite many of his career situations looking like they may be coming to a dead end, Nick found an intense purpose in each one of them. Hear his incredible journey from nearly quitting football at the age of 18 on a field in Michigan to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy over his head as the surprise starting quarterback of the 2018 world champion Philadelphia Eagles...and how his Faith turned every seeming end into a new beginning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corey Kispert is a 2 time high school state champion. He was a leader for a Gonzaga team that lost just 12 games in 4 years. After an undefeated senior season, Kispert and the Bulldogs were the favorites to win the NCAA championship game...but their season ended in a shocking upset. What role did Corey's Faith play in how he handled the loss? How does Faith change his perspective on his future as he enters the NBA draft as a potential first round pick?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer spent 15 years in the NFL playing for the Bengals, Raiders and Cardinals as one of the league's best quarterbacks. Upon retirement, he fully committed himself to serving his family and those in need across the globe. How did he turn down a Taylor-made post-football career in coaching and media? How did he demand a trade from the team that drafted him and still stand firm in his faith? How do you parent your kids to love God amidst the pressures that surround them? Go to fillthestadium.com to donate to Compassion International alongside Brock Huard, Carson Palmer, Nate Solder and dozens of other current & former athletes who have committed to provide sponsorships for 70,000 Compassion kids during this COVID-19 impacted season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a young girl, Dot Richardson wanted nothing more to play Little League baseball with the boys. After refusing to cut her hair and use a boy's name to play, she became the youngest professional women's softball player in the country--at the age of 10. Hear her amazing story of perseverance, passion and faith in God that drove her to become a 2 time Olympic champion softball player, a member of the USA Softball Hall of Fame and the head coach of Liberty University Softball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FOX Sports 1 sports reporter, analyst and radio host Chris Broussard learned during college what it meant to stop living for yourself after understanding what it means to follow God's call in his life. In this episode, Broussard shares his experiences of living out his faith in a bold, authentic way in a field of work that doesn't always agree with his beliefs.

ESPN college basketball analyst and author of the book "The Film Doesn't Lie: Evaluating Your Life One Play at a Time" Jimmy Dykes shares how his Faith and career as a men's and women's basketball coach has revealed his true character. Through the pressures, the obstacles, the failures and the successes, Jimmy explains how his Faith provides the bedrock of purpose and understand that allows him to persevere through whatever turns life presents.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matthew Boyd has spent his baseball career picking up signs from catchers every day in order to figure out what pitch to throw. For Matthew, the signs he saw in his life outside of the game of baseball have led him down paths that required more risks and chances than conventional wisdom would advise--but following the narrow road with the narrow gate is something that his Faith demanded of him.

Grace Community Church pastor and former goalkeeper Jesse Bradley went from becoming a sought-after keeper on an international level to being unable to control his own heartbeat with no diagnosis. Despite the dark thoughts, the months of excruciating pain and the prospect of death, Jesse clung to his Faith--what happened next is truly remarkable.

MLB outfielder Steven Souza burst onto the baseball scene late in high school, but his minor league career was marked by selfishness, pride and a PED suspension. It wasn't until Steven truly understood what it meant to be transformed by Faith that he experienced joy and meaning in his life and career in a way that had previously eluded him. With a renewed purpose and a mission to share the message of hope for the rest of his career, Steven opens up with Brock on the transforming power of Faith in sports.

He was the coach of the #1 seeded Virginia team in 2018 that became the first school ever to lose to a #16 seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. His response? Win the national championship the following year. University of Virginia Men's Basketball coach Tony Bennett explains how the same Faith he maintained during the trials of losing to UMBC propelled his program to climb to the top of the mountain the very next season.

After traveling to Guatemala with Compassion International together, Giants LT Nate Solder joins Brock Huard to discuss where his passion for his Faith began and how it inspired him to connect with Compassion to make a lasting impression in the lives of children around the world.

Sleeping in his car in a Fort Worth, TX parking garage on a 40 day music tour not knowing where his next meal would come from, Tony Castricone couldn't imagine that he would someday become "the voice" of the Washington Huskies. Tony's play-by-play career is has taken him to some of the mountaintops of sports experiences, but without wrestling through his Faith, would he be able to find meaning in his work and life? Hear how his quest for answers led him to a peace and purpose in work, life and marriage.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah grew up as the son of a preacher. When his football career ended just when things were starting to look like his future in the game was blossoming, Daniel discovered that his path in life was headed in a direction he could have never orchestrated on his own. Learn how Daniel's Faith taught him the power that lies in listening, serving and following that led him to become one of the most trusted voices in the NFL media landscape.

Many know former Washington Husky basketball star Matisse Thybulle for his performance on the court. Few know the depth of pain and loss he and his family experienced before he got there. Losing his mother to cancer in 2015, Matisse became determined to honor his mother by devoting himself to fulfilling his potential on the court--all the while finding peace and meaning in his mother's passing through a transforming Faith.

Steve Zakuani was the first-ever draft pick selected by the Seattle Sounders FC, but his path to MLS stardom was one that can't be described as traditional. Through traumatic injury, hopelessness and despair came a Faith that inspired Steve to accomplish things in soccer that he had given up on. It was that faith that presented him with the opportunity to take part in one of sports' greatest shows of forgiveness.

NFL MVP. Alabama's all-time single game rushing record. 3 time Pro Bowler, 2 time All-Pro. With a list of accomplishments this long, former Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has every right to boast in his abilities--instead, Alexander points to his Faith as the only reason he has experienced success. Listen here to how he valued his deep, personal Faith while maintaining a level of excellence at the highest level of the game.

From pro-player to NFL head coach to ESPN and back to college coaching, Herm Edwards is one of the most recognizable coaches in the sports landscape today. While many may know him from his impassioned speeches, it’s his Faith that drives Edwards to stand boldly for what he believes.

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney is one of the game's most successful coaches today, but it wasn't because he was handed everything on a silver platter. Swinney learned to persevere through adversities in his home growing up and his walk-on career at Alabama before embarking on an unlikely journey to becoming the "Dabo Swinney" the world knows today. Be encouraged by his story of Faith and conviction.

As the head coach of Auburn University Football, Gus Malzahn understands the pressure of winning as much as anyone. Through a revival in his Faith, Malzahn has learned to live out his life's calling authentically--even when that means doing things differently than everyone else.

After quitting football in 5th grade, Ben Malcolmson believed his life journey would lead to a career in journalism. After discovering a deep and personal Faith, Ben's journey took a left turn that put him onto the #1 nationally ranked USC football team as a 5th year senior walk on and culminated in a unique, unexpected career in sports under Pete Carroll that has spanned 13 years.

As a seventh-generation pastor, Judah Smith has developed a wide variety of relationships built on a shared faith. As the chaplain of the Seattle Seahawks, Pastor Judah joins Brock Huard to talk about some of the unique challenges professional athlete experience due to the pressures of their job, the expectations of fans & coaches, and the barriers that arise as they seek to understand their faith. Pastor Judah also explores how the role of being a chaplain has sharpened him as a pastor and provided more perspective on the difficulty many athletes have with being vulnerable.

Former Seahawks quarterback Jeff Kemp looks back on his 11 year NFL career and the constant tension he lived in as a professional between the need to achieve in the eyes of his coaches while finding his self-worth through his faith. Kemp shares what it was like to grow up with his father as an NFL star, how he persevered through his lengthy career despite basically never entering a season as the favorite to be the starter, and how his marriage gave him the courage he needed to embrace his faith through professional adversity.

Brock Huard and his family have sponsored Yessica through Compassion International for 7 years, and in May, the Huard family finally got the chance to meet her in El Salvador. Brock shares what it was like to see Compassion's impact on Yessica and her community while spending time with her family and touring their projects in El Salvador. In the second part of this episode, Brock sits down with Mariners' slugger Nelson Cruz to discuss his upbringing in the Dominican Republic. From having to create his own toys out of branches and plastic bottles to working in his uncle's auto shop at the age of 8 to living on his own at 17 to pursue his dreams in baseball, Cruz details how his faith gave him the peace and confidence to dream big and accomplish things he couldn't have imagined were possible.

As a kid growing up in Blaine, WA, Luke Ridnour was all about basketball since he can remember. Whether it was waking up at 5:00 AM as a 10-year-old to practice in his driveway or traveling the country with his AAU team, Luke's drive to be the best player he could be took him to the height of the basketball world as a teenager. As he began to see the damaging impact of idolizing his own athletic success, Luke realized that he needed more than just the game to find meaning in his life. With a renewed commitment to his faith, Luke regained his purpose on and off the court. Adversity would continue to come for Luke and his family, but the faith journey he was on led him to one constant conclusion throughout his career: trusting your faith conviction gives you the strength to persevere. 

Mariners Hall of Fame catcher Dan "The Man" Wilson has caught more games than anyone in team history and has the highest fielding percentage of any AL catcher ever - the sixth highest in baseball history! On this episode of Above & Beyond, Brock talks with Dan about the tension between living out his faith convictions while investing into becoming an elite athlete, between reveling in success and wallowing in failure, and playing for Lou Piniella, a coach who was notoriously hard on players because he was desperate to win.

Jake Locker was the definition of hometown hero: the quarterback of the 2005 Washington State high school champions at Ferndale High, who then chose to stay local and play at the University of Washington. His reputation as a good-natured, humble leader followed him everywhere. But, as the pressure of meeting the high standards he set for himself and keeping up his persona amidst a losing season at UW, Jake began to seek unhealthy avenues to escape. Through the personal investment of his teammate, Matt Hasselbeck, the example of unconditional love set by his father throughout his childhood, and the patience of his wife, Jake discovered that through his faith in God, he could finally live authentically. And ultimately, his faith convictions pulled him to make a difficult decision with total peace: leave the game of football to invest in his family.

For the final episode of Season 1, Brock (and his wife Molly!) welcome Sam and Christian Ponder to Above & Beyond. Sam has been in the news this week for standing up against some horrible comments made about her online. She shares why she felt compelled to respond to the harassment, why it's so important that men stand beside their sisters, and what gives her the courage to live out her faith in public. We also get to hear the love story of Sam and Christian - full of fun, flirting, and a contractually-protected burro. Get to know this dynamic, dedicated couple on this episode of Above & Beyond.

Super Bowl champ Clint Gresham spent 6 years in the NFL where he dealt with inadequacy, insecurity, and brokenness. On the second-to-last episode of Season 1, the first long snapper ever to be drafted in the 1st round talks to Brock - who cheered Clint on his whole career - about overcoming those feelings and the importance of laying a foundation of bedrock. Check out Clint's new book "Becoming: Loving the Process of Wholeness" OUT NOW!

At 24, Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks Tyler Lockett seems to have access to everything success has to offer - the money, fame, women, hype - but has decided to publically walk out his faith in front of us all.

Faith in sports is not limited to just players and coaches; Episode 12 takes a look into the spiritual support system behind athletes in professional sports. Seattle Storm chaplain Nancy Cahill and Tim Gaydos, chaplain of both the Seattle Mariners and Sounders FC join Above and Beyond to share the challenges and encouragements of working with professional athletes at the highest level.

On what might be the most raw and vulnerable Above & Beyond yet, Brock's former adversary and one of football's greatest cautionary tales Ryan Leaf shares his story. And what a story it is... Arguably the best QB to come out of WSU, and one of the highest-drafted players in WA State history, Ryan's career crashed and burned. Drug addiction, prison, multiple suicide attempts, and self-described egomania ruined what should have been a stellar NFL career.  So where is he now? And how did he get his life back on track? Hear the real story on this episode of Above & Beyond.

Whether you know him as the Seattle Seahawks first QB or the head coach of the Washington Redskins, you're about to get to know Jim Zorn like you never have before. Brock says Jim was one of the first coaches to show him what it meant to be a well-rounded husband, dad, man of faith, and a coach, and this episode of Above & Beyond will hopefully inspire you as Jim inspired Brock so many years ago.

Brock welcomes his first active player on the podcast: Seattle Mariners Pitcher Steve Cishek! In their first meeting together, Steve tells Brock about not hearing the Gospel until college, being called out by other major league players to live out the faith he proclaimed, and why failure is an important part of playing ball.

Brock's own faith and sports journey concludes on this episode of Above & Beyond. Part 2 picks up as Brock is drafted in the 3rd round by the Seattle Seahawks, follows him through his NFL career, and into the very public world of professional sports media. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the support of Compassion International. They're changing lives around the world and continue to do so every single day. You can change a life, and have your life changed, today! Visit compassion.com/above.

The most common question we get from listeners is "When will Brock share his story?" The answer: Right now! From early childhood through his days as a quarterback, Brock takes us along his journey of faith and sports and how it intersects with the six guests who have shared their stories so far on this podcast. See you next week for Part 2, where Brock's journey continues off the field and into the world of professional media.

"Mr. Mariner" Alvin Davis joins Brock on this intimate episode of Above & Beyond. From growing up with a deep faith & sports heritage, to losing his brother and father at a young age, Alvin has had an incredible journey: one marked by a trust in God that is guaranteed to encourage and inspire.

When Brock was a child, Steve Largent was one of his biggest heroes. And Brock is certainly not alone. On this week's Above & Beyond, one of the NFL's most beloved players on and off the field shares his story about growing up in a broken home, how his coaches filled the void of his absent father, why the importance of forgiveness, and much much more. This is Steve Largent like you've never heard him before.

Rocky Seto had his dream job: working with Pete Carroll as the Assistant Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks. But last January, he walked away from it all to pursue full-time ministry. Why did a man who once hid in a USC hallway to stage an "accidental" meeting with head coach John Robinson decide to leave coaching? It's a tale full of passionate twists and turns on this episode of Above & Beyond.

An NFL quarterback for 15 years, Jon Kitna didn't hear the Gospel until he was 21. His teenage years were marred by alcoholism, pride, theft, and cheating. So what put this broken man on a new path? On this episode of Above & Beyond, Brock talks with his old friend about his incredible journey, the moment everything changed, and how this arrogant, self-serving kid became a humble and generous leader of men.