The Game Before the Money: Oral History of Pro and College Football

The Game Before the Money: Oral History of Pro and College Football

Former NFL, AFL, and NCAA football greats share unforgettable stories about their lives and careers. An oral history of pro and college football that often features never-before-told stories.

Episodes

April 23, 2025 52 mins

Former NFL executive Upton Bell shares memories of his father, NFL Commissioner Bert Bell, creating the NFL Draft and early draft memories as well as his time drafting players for Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. Plus, who is the top player in the 2025 NFL Draft and fantastic firsthand accounts of Jackie Robinson as a football player and how he might have fared in the NFL.

The Game Before the Money is a 501 c 3 nonprofit founded by ho...

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Upton Bell gives his insights about the NFL dynasties he's witnessed since the 1940s, when he father Bert Bell was NFL Commissioner. He also previews Super Bowl 59 with host Michael Jackson.

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. Learn more  and donate at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

 

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January 16, 2025 34 mins

Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas shares great stories of helping lead the Buffalo Bills to four Super Bowls and his college days at Oklahoma State. He also tells you how to win a trip to next year's Super Bowl in a contest hosted by Pork Rind Appreciation Day and Gridiron Greats.

The Game Before the Money Podcast is hosted and produced by Michael Jackson. Learn more at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

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Upton Bell previews the 2024 NFL Playoffs and remembers the NFL's greatest running backs and their performances. 

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 c 3 nonprofit. Learn more at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com. Host Michael Jackson (aka Jackson Michael) produces this podcast. 

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November 23, 2024 34 mins

Richmond Webb, a Miami Dolphins and Texas A&M legend, discusses his career in NCAA and the NFL. Webb is a semi-finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025 class. He shares about blocking for Dan Marino, playing for head coach Don Shula and his college coaches Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum.

 

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. Learn more and donate at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

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November 15, 2024 32 mins

NFLPA-certified contract advisor Bryan Ehrlich explains the many things NFL agents do to represent their clients. He also discusses trades, the NFL Draft, and contract negotiations. 

Learn more about The Game Before the Money at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

 

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May 25, 2024 45 mins

Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau discusses his new book "Legendary" as well as his playing career with the Lions and his coaching career. He goes in-depth about the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers defense and what it was like playing with Night Train Lane and for Woody Hayes.

 

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Former Colts executive Upton Bell shares about scouting O.J. Simpson. He discusses concerns about Simpson's character even at USC, what he reported back to head coach Don Shula, and his memories of personal interactions with Simpson's defense team before and after the trial.

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March 22, 2024 55 mins

Upton Bell, a former executive with the Colts and Patriots, looks back at the 2023 NFL season and how it rates historically. He also discusses how he approached the NFL Draft, the state of the NFL in modern times, and who he thinks is the best player in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The Game Before the Money is a 501 c 3 non-profit, dedicated to preserving NFL history through oral history interviews. Learn more at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.c...

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February 9, 2024 58 mins

Upton Bell reached Super Bowl 3 and Super Bowl 5 with the Colts as Director of Player Personnel. Hear him preview Super Bowl 58 and share his Super Bowl experience. He also reviews last week's conference championships and discusses Bill Belichick.

 

The Game Before the Money is a 501(c)3 non-profit that preserves the life stories of NFL legends through oral history. Learn more at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com. 

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January 24, 2024 46 mins

Baltimore hosted the first-ever AFC Championship Game. Former Baltimore executive Upton Bell shares his memories of the game and building the Super Bowl 5 champion Baltimore Colts. He also shares memories of the 1957 Lions-49ers playoff and predicts this week's NFC Championship and AFC Championship.

Learn more about The Game Before the Money and host Jackson Michael at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

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January 19, 2024 38 mins

Former Colts and Patriots executive Upton Bell discusses the 2023 NFL Playoffs and makes predictions on the Divisional Playoffs and beyond.

To learn more about The Game Before the Money, hosted by author and oral historian Jackson Michael, visit TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com. 

 

 

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December 14, 2023 54 mins

Upton Bell, a Colts executive in the 1960s and with their Super Bowl 5 championship team, gives his thoughts on the current NFL season. Topics include offensive line play, coaching, and officiating. The program is hosted by oral historian and author Jackson Michael.

Learn more about The Game Before the Money at The Game Before the Money.

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November 30, 2023 42 mins

Football author John Eisenberg discusses his latest book, "Rocket Men: The Black Quarterbacks Who Revolutionized Pro Football." He celebrates the careers of Warren Moon, Doug Williams, James Harris, and Randall Cunningham as well as current QBs Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson.

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit. Learn more at The Game Before the Money

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October 14, 2023 32 mins

Steelers Hall of Fame center Dermontti Dawson shares stories about his life and career, from playing college ball at Kentucky to being elected to the Hall of Fame.

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 (c) non-profit. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://www.TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

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September 5, 2023 23 mins

Rams legendary defensive back Eddie Meador shares stories in this reposting of one of the first episodes of The Game Before the Money. Meador passed away in September of 2023. Reposting the podcast is an effort to honor his life and career.

Learn more about The Game Before the Money at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com. 

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Football historian and author T.J. Troup outlines the greatness of Hall of Famer Charley Trippi.

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 (c) non-profit. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://www.TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

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Author and NFL Films head research librarian Chris Willis discusses his book about Bronko Nagurski. He discusses Nagurski’s life and career and drops many football history nuggets.

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 (c) non-profit. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://www.TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com

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April 25, 2023 48 mins

Former Colts executive Upton Bell shares NFL Draft stories from the 1960s, including stories previously never told about the NFL/AFL war. He also discusses scouting star players he drafted and his conversations with Colts head coach Don Shula.

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the life stories of former NFL players, coaches, and executives. Learn more at ...

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February 10, 2023 31 mins

Super Bowl 30 MVP Larry Brown of the Cowboys, two-time Super Bowl winner Dan Neil of the Broncos, and Colts executive Upton Bell share their Super Bowl memories and insight into this year’s game. Upton’s father founded the Philadelphia Eagles, and adds a special touch to the show. The three guests have a combined seven Super Bowl's worth of experience.

Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://www.TheGameBeforeTheMoney....

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