Episodes
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Ep 40: 1948 NFL Championship – The Cornerstone of Super Bowl Sunday
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Upton Bell shares his memories of attending the 1948 NFL Championship Game with his father, NFL commissioner Bert Bell, in this episode of The Game before the Money Podcast. This episode also includes an interview clip from Al Wistert, a Philadelphia Eagles lineman and 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist. The 1948 NFL Championship Game was the first televised NFL Championship Game and laid the foundation for what has become Super Bowl Sunday. Hear how Bert Bell’s foresight helped grow the NFL’s future through the powerful new technology of television.
The 1948 NFL Championship Game featured a rematch of the previous year’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals). The teams played in a blizzard and battled both the elements and their opponents. Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren nearly missed the game because of the weather before scoring the game’s winning touchdown, powered by perhaps one of the greatest blocks in NFL history.
You will also learn how both teams utilized versions of modern NFL offenses rather than the “three yards and a cloud of dust” adjective that is often erroneously used to describe the era.
Episodes of The Game before the Money Podcast are released each week, except for certain episodes that take about two weeks to create. The show is produced and hosted by Jackson Michael, author of The Game before the Money: Voices of the Men Who Built the NFL, published by the University of Nebraska Press. Many episodes feature interviews with pro and college football legends. Learn more at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Ep 38: BOYD DOWLER : Packers Legend Chats Lombardi and More
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Green Bay Packers legend Boyd Dowler joins The Game before the Money Podcast and brings us into the Packers' locker room with stories about winning 5 NFL championships under Vince Lombardi. Hear his memories about winning the 1959 NFL Rookie of the Year award, scoring the longest NFL receiving touchdown of 1960, and how President Kennedy played a role in the Packers’ 1961 season.
Dowler also talks about quarterbacking the Colorado Buffaloes to victory in the 1957 Orange Bowl and how he, Paul Hornung, and Ray Nitschke were called into military service in the middle of the NFL season. You will also hear about an incident at a Packers’ practice that left a hole in Nitschke’s helmet!
Did you know that Dowler served as an assistant coach under George Allen? Find out more in this episode of The Game before the Money Podcast.
Episodes of The Game before the Money Podcast are released each week. The show is produced and hosted by Jackson Michael, author of The Game before the Money: Voices of the Men Who Built the NFL, published by the University of Nebraska Press. Many episodes feature interviews with pro and college football legends. Learn more at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Ep 35: Bob Griese – 2 SB Wins After Injury Like Dak Prescott’s
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Bob Griese, the Miami Dolphins’ Hall of Fame quarterback, talks about playing in the 1972 AFC Championship Game after returning from a dislocated ankle injury similar to that of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
In this episode we hear a brief interview clip from Griese’s interview for the book, The Game before the Money: Voices of the Men Who Built the NFL. I also examine Griese’s career before and after the dislocated ankle and broken leg he sustained in Week 5 of the 1972 season. I discuss the similarities between Prescott’s dislocated ankle and compound fracture with Griese’s injury, and how Griese’s recovery might predict Prescott’s return.
This episode is a “Five Minutes of Football History” edition of The Game before the Money Podcast. New episodes of The Game before the Money Podcast are released each week. The show is produced and hosted by Jackson Michael, author of The Game before the Money: Voices of the Men Who Built the NFL, published by the University of Nebraska Press. Many episodes feature interviews with pro and college football legends. Learn more at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Ep 28: Karl Mecklenburg – 1980s Broncos Stories and More
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Karl Mecklenburg played linebacker for the Denver Broncos and helped guide the team to three Super Bowls. Hear him share memories of “The Drive” in the 1986 AFC Championship Game and “The Fumble” in the 1987 AFC Championship Game. You will also hear his inspirational story of hard work and dedication that earned him a spot in the NFL.
Karl Mecklenburg also talks about defensive coordinator Joe Collier’s leadership, shares a funny story about his jersey being stolen before a game in San Diego, and grants insight on how Broncos quarterback John Elway influenced the team’s defensive play.
The Game before the Money Podcast is released each Tuesday. The show is produced and hosted by Jackson Michael, author of The Game before the Money: Voices of the Men Who Built the NFL, published by the University of Nebraska Press. Learn more at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Ep 25: Pete Brewster talks 50s Browns, Super Bowl 4 Chiefs
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Pete Brewster played nine seasons in the NFL, including seven with Paul Brown’s legendary Cleveland Browns of the 1950s and made the Pro Bowl as a receiver. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Kansas City Chiefs when they won Super Bowl 4 and was a member of the very first Minnesota Vikings coaching staff.
Brewster shared stories with me during the summer of 2019. He talked about why he chose Purdue and how he ended up playing for the Browns despite being drafted by the Cardinals. He remembered the great Cleveland teams of the 1950s and how Otto Graham paid him an enormous compliment. Brewster finished his playing career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brewster passed away in January of 2020.
The Game before the Money Podcast comes out each Tuesday. Author Jackson Michael hosts and produces the program. The podcast often features stories from pro and college football legends. You can learn more at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Ep 23: Richard Nixon Talks Football with George Allen
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
President Richard Nixon called to congratulate Washington Redskins head coach George Allen his team defeated the Dallas Cowboys in October of 1972. This episode features the lion’s share of their conversation which was about 15 minutes.
Football dominates the conversation as the two discuss Washington’s come-from-behind victory at home. Nixon displays a solid knowledge of the NFL as he and Allen talk about players from both teams – including Hall of Famers Sonny Jurgensen, Roger Staubach, and Lance Alworth. They go over the next games on both teams’ schedules and ponder possible trades Washington could make as the team makes a successful run towards Super Bowl 7.
This is a very fun listen for any fan of football and/or politics. President Nixon greatly enjoyed pro and college football as well as his friendship with George Allen. The conversation was recorded as part of the “Nixon Tapes” and is available on the Nixon Library’s website. The conversation is Tape 32-007.
The Game before the Money Podcast comes out on Tuesdays and is hosted and produced by Jackson Michael, author of The Game before the Money: Voices of the Men Who Built the NFL and writer/director of We Were the Oilers: The Luv Ya Blue Era! You can learn more football history and about the author at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Ep 16: Super Bowl 54 and Great NFL QB Comebacks
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
A look at Pat Mahomes leading the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl 54 after entering the fourth quarter trailing by 10 points and what similarities that comeback has with two other great fourth-quarter comebacks in NFL championship history: Otto Graham with the 1950 Cleveland Browns and Johnny Unitas with the 1958 Baltimore Colts.
This episode is a Five Minutes of Football History edition of The Game before the Money Podcast. Five Minutes of Football History is released each Tuesday. I also periodically post longer documentary episodes featuring NFL legends. Please subscribe to the podcast and also visit TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Ep 12: A Tribute to Don Shula -- 5 Mins of Football History
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Don Shula stands as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. His name is forever attached to the Miami Dolphins but he also coached another franchise to the Super Bowl.
Did you know that Shula also played in the NFL? Not only did he enjoy a 7-year playing career, he also played for two Hall of Fame coaches.
Learn about Don Shula's life and career in this episode of The Game before the Money Podcast. This episode is a "Five Minutes of Football History" segment. New episodes appear every Tuesday.
The Game before the Money Podcast is hosted and produced by Jackson Michael, author of The Game before the Money: Voices of the NFL. You can learn more at TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com.
Saturday Sep 29, 2018
Episode 3: Ron McDole -- Bills AFL Championships, Redskins Over the Hill Gang
Saturday Sep 29, 2018
Saturday Sep 29, 2018
Ron McDole on The Game Before the Money Podcast. He is the NFL's all-time leader in interceptions by a defensive lineman. His storied 18-year career includes winning the 1964 and 1965 AFL Championships with the Buffalo Bills, and playing in Super Bowl 7 as part of Washington's Over the Hill Gang. Please visit our website, https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com . Podcast Brought to you by NBAutographs.com .