NASHVILLE (BP) — Pastors and college football megafans George Schroeder and Dean Inserra have kicked off the third season of “Gridiron and the Gospel,” a podcast dedicated to the sport but also matters of faith.

Schroeder’s sports journalism career stretched nearly 30 years and included stops at USA Today and Sports Illustrated as well as Baptist Press editor. He currently serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Fairfield, Texas. Inserra is the lead pastor of City Church in Tallahassee, Fla., unrelenting in his stance that Tom Brady is the greatest team sports athlete of all time, uncommonly sensitive to uniform combinations and part of a family with season tickets to Miami Hurricanes football games since 1956.

Gridiron and the Gospel launched in 2023 with Schroeder and former ESPN personality Brad Edwards, who will make sporadic appearances this season.

With a new season and new sound for the podcast, Schroeder is thankful that Edwards will still contribute.

“The show might take on a slightly different flavor, but the hope and the goal remain the same: insightful and entertaining college football conversation coupled with edifying conversations about our shared faith in Christ,” he said. “I love Brad’s insights into football and his faith in Christ, and I’m so glad he’ll rejoin us occasionally.

“Like me, Dean loves college football. But like me, he loves Jesus far more. I’m really excited to see how the podcast might continue to evolve and grow as we explore those topics together.”

“I believe the Lord gives us things to enjoy in community, and college football is certainly one of those things,” Inserra said. “I am excited to talk football each week with a long-time college football journalist and now pastor. Talking about the game in the context of our faith and from a gospel lens is icing on the cake. I hope people will enjoy some weekly football talk from two pastors who like college football maybe a little too much.”

Typically an hour or so in length, the show consists of two approximate “halves.” The first is dedicated to breaking down college football news of the day, the previous weekend’s games as well as predictions. The second half is what sets it apart from other podcasts, as Schroeder and Inserra share how God is working in their lives or has shown them something recently.

“You probably wouldn’t be listening if you weren’t a college football fan, but we know the listeners come from a bunch of backgrounds. So, we don’t want to assume anything,” said Schroeder. “We want to share the good news that Jesus saves — He saved us and we love Him because He loved us first.

“We want to share each week what’s on our hearts, with the hope that people see how important knowing and loving God is to us. We want to encourage people to follow and grow in Christ.”

The 2025 Season Preview episode dropped Tuesday (Aug. 26), with many questions pondered. Will Arch be the man to deliver Texas from its 20-year national title drought? Does Penn State’s James Franklin get that breakthrough win? Can 73-year-old Bill Belichick be successful in today’s brand of the sport?

Schroeder and Inserra also discuss the role of faith in the game. In the current episode, that conversation includes Schroeder’s new role as a chaplain for Fairfield High’s football team and the impact of Christian players and coaches.

“I think that one of the greatest ministries in the world is being a high school coach, not just football, but any sport,” Inserra said. “You’re with (the athletes) all the time. And a lot of times, you’re the father figure to those people.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.)