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

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 TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com. 

Opinions of interviewees are not necessarily the views of the foundation or its sponsors.

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.

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Hall of Famer Carl Eller discusses playing in 4 Super Bowls with the Vikings, Mike Ditka’s Gridiron Greats initiative that assists former players, and his love of Pork Rind Appreciation Day.

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Minnesota Vikings legend Chuck Foreman talks about his NFL career, playing college football at Miami, and the athletes of his era.

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A brief history of the Cowboys vs 49ers NFL playoff rivalry, written by football historian Jackson Michael. This segment aired nationally on the SportsMap Radio Network during the 2023 NFL Playoffs.

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Former Colts and Patriots executive Upton Bell provides perspective on Damar Hamlin's injury, based on his lifetime of pro football experience. 

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1970s Steelers assistant coach Lionel Taylor talks about his play call on the famous Immaculate Reception play. Host Jackson Michael gives facts about the game and Franco Harris. He also talks about two great NFL playoff games on Christmas Eve, 1977.

The material is from 12/24/2022 episode of The Game Before the Money Radio Show, which airs through Super Bowl weekend on Saturday mornings at 11 am Eastern, 10 Central on the SportsMap Radio Network and on the SportsMap Radio App.

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.

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Legendary NFL referee Jim Tunney discusses famous NFL games he officiated, including the 1981 NFC Championship Game featuring “The Catch” and the 1979 AFC Championship Game featuring the Mike Renfro Play. He also remembers Tom Dempsey’s record-setting field goal and shares his thoughts about instant replay. Jim Tunney officiated in the NFL for 31 years from 1960 through 1990. He refereed 3 Super Bowls: Super Bowl 6, Super Bowl 11, and Super Bowl 12.

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Former Colts and Patriots executive Upton Bell shares the history of Thanksgiving NFL games. He discusses his favorite moments, how NFL Thanksgiving games have changed, and the first televised NFL Thanksgiving game -- a broadcast set up by his father, NFL commissioner Bert Bell.

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