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

Randy Cross, starting 49ers OL during their greatest seasons, shares memories of the Catch, Super Bowl 23, and gives insight as to why the 49ers were a dynasty. He also remembers his upbringing and his college days at UCLA under head coach Dick Vermeil.

The Game Before the Money Oral History Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. The podcast is hosted by Michael Jackson. Learn more at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com. 

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 host Michael Jackson. Learn more at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

Dan Fouts shares about his Hall of Fame career as quarterback of the San Diego Chargers. He discusses Don Coryell’s “Air Coryell” offense and grants insight into the famous Chargers vs Dolphins game in the 1981 NFL Playoffs. He also talks about his college football career at Oregon and his father's broadcasting work as the San Francisco 49ers play-by-play announcer.

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

Raiders Hall of Fame coach Tom Flores reflects on moments from Super Bowl 15 and Super Bowl 18. He also shares about playing quarterback for the Raiders in the 1960s in the American Football League and his college career at Pacific.

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

Former NFL executive Upton Bell shares his memories of the great Charley Trippi, including meeting him at the Cardinals training camp in 1947 and seeing Trippi score two touchdowns in the 1947 NFL Championship Game.

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