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

John Wooten truly is a legend. Coming into the NFL in 1959, he blocked for Jim Brown, played for Paul Brown, and was a key part of the 1964 Cleveland Browns NFL championship team. Hear him share stories of his friendships with Ernie Davis and Muhammad Ali, including great info on the famous "Cleveland Summit" with Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell, and many other sports superstars. In college, he helped the Colorado Buffaloes to the Orange Bowl.

John worked as a scout for the Dallas Cowboys for 16 years, then worked for the Eagles and Ravens. He now chairs the Fritz Pollard Alliance. He worked with Commissioner Pete Rozelle and other NFL legends to establish an important program to develop African-Americans for coaching and front office positions. John's amazing story -- which includes working with Pete Rozelle to avoid filing a discrimination lawsuit against the NFL in the 1960s and Clemson mailing a threatening letter to Colorado before the 1957 Orange Bowl because he and a teammate were African-American -- is told in this episode. 

Eddie Meador played defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1959-1970. The Pro Football Hall of Fame named him to their 1960s All-Decade Team. Nearly 50 years after his last game, Eddie still holds Rams team records for interceptions, blocked kicks, fumble recoveries, and is tied for the franchise lead in interceptions returned for touchdowns.

He joins The Game Before the Money Podcast to share stories of growing up in Arkansas, his difficulty of getting into college football, and his glory days with the Rams playing for George Allen and with the legendary Fearsome Foursome.

The Game Before the Money Podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by author Jackson Michael. The podcast is presented by NB Autographs -- https://NBAutographs.com.

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

TERRY BAKER won the 1962 Heisman Trophy. He also played in the 1963 Final Four. Sports Illustrated named him Sportsman of the Year in 1962, and he was the first-overall pick of the 1963 NFL Draft. He played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams.

Hear his amazing stories about winning the Heisman, playing in the Final Four, and meeting President Kennedy. Also hear the story behind his record-breaking 99 yard touchdown run.

The Game Before the Money Podcast is 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. The podcast is presented by NBAutographs.com.

Bert Bell founded the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. In 1946, he took over as NFL Commissioner. His innovations provide a backbone for the modern game and pro sports in general. A few of his innovations include: the player draft, overtime, and the weekly injury report. He also vaulted the NFL into the age of television. Learn the backstories to these innovations -- as well as Bell's role in the foundation of the American Football League -- from Bell's son, Upton Bell, in this episode of The Game before the Money Podcast. 

Brought to you by NBAutographs.com.

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 .

Pete Koch joins The Game before the Money podcast. Pete was a first-round draft pick of the Bengals in 1984, and later played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Raiders. He also starred with Clint Eastwood in the movie Heartbreak Ridge. 

He discusses what it was like to be a first-round draft pick, the glory years of the 1980s AFC West, and what made Howie Long such an exceptional defensive lineman.

Dallas Cowboys legend Chad Hennings joins The Game Before the Money. The 3x Super Bowl Champ discusses the adversity the Cowboys overcame to win, his fighter jet experience in the Gulf War, and assiting others toward their own victories.

Opening episode describing podcast and announcing first guests. Take a step back in time with pro and college football legends. Based on the book, The Game before the Money: Voices of the Men Who Built the NFL, published by the University of Nebraska Press.