Episode 288

Dave Dravecky's story is one of hope, courage and perseverance in the midst of dark and overwhelming uncertainty. In 1988 Dave was at the top of his game and life. Not only did he have a wonderful family but he was reaching his all-star peak playing the game of his childhood dreams. His 5-1 opening day victory over the Dodgers was overshadowed later that fall by the discovery of cancer and the removal of half of the deltoid muscle in his pitching arm. For baseball fans worldwide Dave Dravecky etched his name into history on August 10, 1989. Defying all odds, after battling cancer in his pitching arm, Dave came back to pitch once again in the Major Leagues. People were on their feet cheering and anticipating the game while he stretched and warmed up. He became an inspiration not only to cancer fighters, but to all who needed hope that day.

As Dave took the mound, no one could deny the miracle that was taking place. After being told by his doctors, "Short of a miracle, you'll never pitch again," Dave pitched a 4-3 win for the San Francisco Giants. Sadly, Dave's comeback was short-lived. Five days later, in Montreal, Dave threw " the pitch that could be heard round the world." Dave's arm had split in two. As he tumbled to the ground, his mind filled with doubt and fear. Little did he know that the dream he had since he was a little boy, was simply a platform for his purpose to share hope with the suffering around the world.

Dave's triumphant defeat of the cancer and his return to the game of baseball is chronicled in his award winning book, Comeback, which has sold more than 650,000 copies. After Dave's comeback and fall from the mound, with the weakened bone, the cancer returned yet again. The arm was not going to get better at this point so Dave decided to retire from his dream, the game of baseball, in November of 1989.

Slowly the treatment and the cancer ate away Dave's arm and simultaneously his career. Radiation treatment after radiation treatment resulted in a staph infection that placed a hole in the middle of his arm exposing bone. Finally, the arm along with Dave's shoulder blade and left side of his collar bone had to be amputated for fear the cancer would spread and take Dave's life.

Because of the overwhelming response to their story and their desire to walk along side others who suffer, Dave and Jan founded Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope, a nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Draveckys realized through their own experiences that one cannot battle cancer alone, so they have created this ministry to bring hope for those who hurt.

On this episode of the podcast, we hear Dave's incredible story of a major league career cut short, hearing the word "cancer" for the first time, trusting God, doubting God, and how his faith ultimately saw him through his recovery.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Seattle Seahawks WR on Super Bowl success, growing in Christ and handling the spotlight of success

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Preseason football starts, Spider-Man reviews and Pro Football HOF credentials

Mike Macdonald - Seattle Seahawks head coach on growing in his faith and developing a Super Bowl culture

TUESDAY MORNING RB - NFL training camp stories, ESPN layoffs, LeBron to Philly and wedding anniversaries

Cori Close - UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach on trusting God and lessons learned in winning a national title

TUESDAY MORNING RB BONUS EPISODE: Ryan Kerrigan - Former Washington pass rushing legend

Jenny Taft - Fox Sports World Cup reporter on faith, soccer, prayer and IJM's FREEDOM TO PLAY

TUESDAY MORNING RB - World Cup predictions, Acts 27 and NFL players dementia death risk

Parker Messick - Cleveland Guardians All-Star pitcher shares Jesus testimony and tells incredible grandfather story

TUESDAY MORNING RB - USMNT's tough loss, prayers for Chris Johnson, generational curses

Ben Zobrist - Chicago Cubs World Series MVP on faith, depression and preparing for pressure

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Danny Woodhead joins to talk World Cup, summer movies and young adult ministry

Miles McPherson - Former NFL player turned pastor on sharing the Gospel with "JUST 1"

Andy Searles and Andy Young - Soccer chaplains on faith at the World Cup and IJM's Freedom to Play

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Matt on putting scriptures on pride caps, spiritual discipline and standing for the Bible

Kirk Cousins - NFL QB on faith, family, fatherhood, prayer, pride and his new home in Las Vegas

TUESDAY MORNING RB - The King's Return, Glorifying God at the World Cup and the Knicks win the title

Mason Miller - San Diego Padres closer on his diabetes battle, throwing 104 mph and identity in Christ

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Mark McKenzie - USMNT soccer player on the 2026 World Cup, his God story and discipleship

Julie Ertz - Two-time World Cup winner and USWNT legend on soccer, faith and the fight to end modern slavery

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Panthers legend Jonathan Stewart joins the show

Maurice Williams – Former Jaguars player turned team chaplain on faith and life after sports

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Kyle Busch's death and the fragility of life

TreVeyon Henderson - New England Patriots running back on Super Bowl boldness and never compromising the Gospel

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Geremy Davis - Former NFL Wide Receiver on golf, the Gospel and life pivots

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Matt’s wife Danielle Forte joins the show for a special Mother’s Day episode

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Juwan Johnson - New Orleans Saints tight end on going from smoking weed to following Jesus Christ

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Alex Highsmith - Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker on faith, marriage and giving back to his community

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Robert Mathis - Indianapolis Colts legend on prayer, purpose, Jesus and favorite QB to sack

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David Pollack - College Football HOF'er on God as a sustainer, his new book and the 2026 NFL Draft

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Jameis Winston - NFL QB on Jesus, family and his football future

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Frank Kaminsky - NBA player and Wisconsin legend on fatherhood, faith and the Chicago Bears

TUESDAY MORNING RB - USA Gold Medalist Jaccob Slavin joins us plus what we learned at church

Patrick Bailey - SF Giants Gold Glove catcher on faith, fame, family and identityand

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Webb Simpson - PGA Tour pro on winning the U.S. Open, following Jesus, hosting a faith podcast and playing the Masters

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Former MLB pitchers Josh Lindblom and Scott Linebrink return to discuss failure in sports and life

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Former MLB pitchers Josh Lindblom and Scott Linebrink interview each other on dealing with uncertainty

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Benjamin Watson - Former NFL tight end on overseas trips, parenting and biblical justice

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Jason Adam - San Diego Padres pitcher on his quad rupture, patience, faith and fatherhood

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Super Bowl LX recap, halftime show thoughts and what we learned at church

Damar Hamlin - Buffalo Bills safety at Super Bowl LX on his recent baptism and growing in his faith after his near-death experience

Devin Hester, Shaun Alexander and Prince Amukamara on Super Bowl LX Media Row

Cam Newton - 2015 NFL MVP on Super Bowl LX Radio Row with Matt Forte

Demario Davis - New Orleans Saints LB on Super Bowl LX Radio Row with Matt Forte

Rod Woodson and Anthony Munoz on Super Bowl LX Media Row

New England Patriots players share their faith in Jesus at Super Bowl LX

Seattle Seahawks players and coaches share their faith in Jesus at Super Bowl LX

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Super Bowl LX predictions, Pro Bowl fixes and Jimmy Mellado from Compassion joins us

Jonathan Rainey - Seattle Seahawks team chaplain on faith in the locker room of the NFC champions

James Mitchell - New England Patriots team chaplain on faith in the locker room of the 2025 AFC champions

Dan Orlovsky - ESPN NFL analyst previews Super Bowl LX and talks faith, family and representing Christ

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Panthers legendary RB Jonathan Stewart joins Matt to break down the Conference Championship matchups

Tony Dungy - Pro Football HOF coach talks Super Bowl memories, identity as a Christian and dealing with disappointment

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Matt breaks down the Bears loss, Caleb's TD throw, Bo Nix's injury, Sean McDermott's firing and conference championship preview

Adam Wainwright - St. Louis Cardinals legend on country music, Jesus, retirement and broadcasting

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Matt Hasselbeck joins us to look at Wild Card weekend, share playoff memories and lessons from church

Jordan Babineaux - Former NFL safety on faith, grief and pivoting from the NFL

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Robert Griffin III - Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL QB on faith, family, failure and football

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Bears/49ers recap, playing in the rain, most dangerous teams and Week 17 predictions

Christmas reflections 2025

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Matt is joined by Benjamin Watson to talk fan behavior, religious persecution, cheering for Aaron Rodgers

Nolan McLean - New York Mets pitcher on his crazy 2025, growing in Christ and staying humble

TUESDAY MORNING RB - Mahomes/Parsons injuries, 45 y/o Philip Rivers, Bears/Packers and Matt's fishing trip