Big Stories TV Redux: Portland State and Stanford

As host Cleon Wall and the Big Stories podcast team readies for a new season, they kick off a new biweekly check-in series as the podcast joins forces with BYUtv's Big Stories franchise this fall. And during these check-ins, they will also share some of the episodes BYUtv shared last fall. First, meet Julius Thomas — a Portland State basketball player who walked past the football field every day, decided to try the sport at age 22, and went on to become an NFL Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos. But his most impressive achievement came after football: Julius earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and now helps retired professional athletes rediscover their purpose and identity after sports. Then, hear the story of Spencer Jones — a Stanford basketball standout who became the program's all-time leading three-point shooter, went undrafted, refused to quit, and ultimately earned a roster spot with the NBA's Denver Nuggets. His journey is a testament to outworking doubt. Two athletes. Two paths. One big reminder: your greatest impact often comes not from what you accomplish for yourself, but from how you use those accomplishments to serve others. Watch the full BYUtv Big Stories episodes at byusn.com.