FOX Sports Debuts New Original Podcast Series TOM RINALDI PRESENTS: SACRED ACRE
Emmy-Winning Storyteller Tom Rinaldi’s Newest Episodic Podcast Series Chronicles the Life, Tragic Death, and Enduring Legacy of Beloved Iowa High School Football Coach, Ed Thomas
Los Angeles – FOX Sports proudly announces the release of the latest installment in its acclaimed original podcast series, TOM RINALDI PRESENTS: SACRED ACRE, premiering today, September 19. The new season of FOX Sports’ award-winning serialized audio documentary series, crafted by 17-time Emmy-winning storyteller Tom Rinaldi, delves into the remarkable and heart-wrenching story of Ed Thomas, one of America’s most esteemed high school football coaches, who was tragically murdered by a former player in 2009.
The first two episodes of TOM RINALDI PRESENTS: SACRED ACRE are available now across all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify, as well as FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. The remaining four episodes release the following Thursdays, culminating with the series finale on October 17.
- Click HERE to subscribe and listen to THE SACRED ACRE on Apple
- Click HERE to subscribe and listen to THE SACRED ACRE on Spotify
Narrated by Rinaldi, the podcast explores Thomas’ extraordinary journey and tragic death – from building a tiny team in Parkersburg, Iowa into a state powerhouse and being named the NFL High School Coach of the Year along the way, to his pivotal role in rebuilding the small town after it was demolished by one of the deadliest tornadoes in state history. Thomas was a beloved member of the community until his untimely death.
Just a year after the devastating tornado and coaching his team through a defiant and resilient season, Thomas was gone – murdered on school grounds during a morning workout in front of his players and students. But why did it happen?
Were there signs of such danger, before the shooting ever took place and could it have been prevented? What has changed, if anything, in the wake of such a tragedy and how has such violence, 15 years later, touched the Thomas family yet again?
Through Rinaldi’s unmatched storytelling, listeners gain insight into the immense legacy Thomas left behind, not only as a two-time state champion coach who helped produce four NFL players, but as a mentor who shaped so many lives. Featuring exclusive interviews and never-before-heard accounts, SACRED ACRE explores powerful themes of leadership, faith, and forgiveness in the wake of unthinkable tragedy.
For Rinaldi, SACRED ACRE represents the second chapter of his award-winning TOM RINALDI PRESENTS podcast series. The first, WESLEY, profiled the gripping story of Lyman Wesley Bostock Jr., the activist-turned-athlete who became one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball, and tragically, was murdered in-season during the height of his career.
A world class storyteller, Rinaldi’s illustrious career includes 17 national Sports Emmy Awards, seven national Edward R. Murrow Awards and a New York Times best-selling book.
SACRED ACRE is the latest addition to the FOX Sports Podcast Network, joining an established lineup of award-winning original digital podcasts that have amassed millions of listeners and fans. Additional FOX Sports digital originals include THE JOEL KLATT SHOW, WHAT’S WRIGHT? WITH NICK WRIGHT, ALL FACTS NO BRAKES WITH KEYSHAWN JOHNSON, ALEXI LALAS’ STATE OF THE UNION PODCAST, KEVIN HARVICK’S HAPPY HOUR, BEAR BETS and the NFL ON FOX PODCAST.
SACRED ACRE, produced for FOX Sports in conjunction with Blue Duck Media, is executive produced by FOX Sports’ Eric Shanks, Charlie Dixon and Rinaldi, alongside Gabe Goodwin from Blue Duck Media.
For more information on FOX Sports programming, visit FOX Sports Press Pass and follow @FOXSportsPR on Twitter.
About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes. FOX Sports’ digital properties include FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, which provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content, instant scores, stats and alerts to iOS and Android devices. Also included in FOX Sports’ portfolio are FOX’s interests in joint-venturebusinesses Big Ten Network and the UFL and a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.
Contact
Jase Bandelow | Jase.Bandelow@FOX.com
