What happens when your greatest fear becomes the catalyst for your life's purpose? For Jerry Schemmel, Colorado Rockies play-by-play broadcaster, surviving a catastrophic plane crash in 1989 wasn't just a traumatic experience—it became the defining moment that led him to faith and transformed his approach to broadcasting.
With raw honesty, Jerry shares how the crash that claimed many lives, including a toddler sitting just in front of him, forced him to question everything about his existence. Having no spiritual foundation at the time, this moment of crisis became his crossroads. The following year, Jerry found Christ and discovered that his broadcasting career wasn't about personal achievement but about using his platform to demonstrate faith in action. From small Kansas radio stations to the major leagues—spending 20 years in NBA broadcasting before securing the coveted Rockies position at age 50—Jerry recognizes each step as divinely orchestrated.
Beyond the broadcast booth, Jerry's faith propelled him into remarkable endurance challenges. What began as therapeutic cycling after the crash evolved into riding across America multiple times for charity. In 2015, he won the two-person division of Race Across America, considered the world's toughest bicycle race, which became the subject of a documentary called "Godspeed." Through these adventures, Jerry found additional avenues to share his story and faith.
Perhaps most powerfully, Jerry offers perspective for anyone facing their own trauma: "Everybody has their own plane crash. We all get knocked down, and what we have to do is turn to God to pick us back up. And when we turn to God and He helps us back up, we are better than we were before we got knocked down." With his Rockies contract ending and his future uncertain, Jerry demonstrates the peace that comes from genuine surrender: "Be as humble as you possibly can be and just let God work in your life."
Join us for this profound conversation about faith, purpose, and finding meaning through life's most challenging moments. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or someone searching for hope amid difficulty, Jerry's journey reminds us that our greatest trials often become our greatest testimony.
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