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

Seahawks legend Shaun Alexander discusses scoring 5 TDs in one half on Sunday Night Football, his incredible college career at Alabama, and the friendship he’s had with two other NFL legends since they were in high school. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://www.TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com #Seahawks #RollTide #Alabama 

Upton Bell, son of NFL commissioner Bert Bell who invented the draft, tells the real history of the NFL Draft. Upton also shares his drafting experience as an executive with the Colts and Patriots.  Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://www.TheGameBeforethemoney.com. #NFLDraft #NFLHistory #BertBell

Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham tells stories about winning the Orange Bowl with Penn State and the AFC rivalries the Steelers had in the 1970s. He names the two toughest running backs he played against, college and pro. Who do you think they were? Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com

Bill Butler played for the 1959 Green Bay Packers during Vince Lombardi’s first season as head coach. He next played for Tom Landry on the first-ever Dallas Cowboys team. He also played for the Steelers and Vikings. He talks about growing up in Wisconsin, playing college football at UT Chattanooga, and shares fantastic stories about his NFL career and the colorful characters he played with and for during his six NFL seasons. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com

Hall of Fame offensive lineman Orlando Pace talks about playing for Coach Vermeil and winning Super Bowl 34 with the Rams. Coach Vermeil shared his stories on Episode 49 of The Game Before the Money Podcast. Orlando Pace was the first-overall pick of the 1997 NFL Draft. This episode gives listeners a great perspective of what it was like to play for Coach Vermeil and provides a firsthand account of Super Bowl 34. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com #Rams #SuperBowl

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and groundskeeper George Toma share memories of getting Candlestick Park ready to host the 1981 NFC Championship Game between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, a game made famous by “The Catch.” Candlestick Park’s playing surface needed many renovations to be in shape for the big game and the city rose to meet the challenge. Senator Feinstein was San Francisco’s mayor in 1981. She shared quotes via email through a staff member. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com

Kicker Mark Moseley discusses kicking under pressure and some of his legendary field goals with the Washington Redskins. He also shares about his incredible NFL journey, going from a man calling teams for a tryout to becoming the only full-time placekicker to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com

Denver Broncos legend LIonel Taylor shares memories about his pro football career.

Chicago Bears QB Vince Evans recalls his game-tying TD and the Bears returning the overtime kickoff for a TD in the unforgettable game against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day of 1980. The Bears won 23-17 after Evans engineered a 94-yard drive and scored the game-tying TD with no time left on the clock to send the game into OT. Chicago's Dave Williams returned the overtime kickoff for a touchdown to win a game that Chicago trailed 17-3 in the fourth quarter. The Game Before the Money is hosted and produced by author and oral historian Jackson Michael. Learn more about the project at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com. #NFL #ThanksgivingFootball #ChicagoBears #BearDown

Dave Wilcox, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2000 class, shares memories of his career as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. He also talks about his college football career at Oregon and Boise State.  Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com 

Bill McColl shares memories of Stanford winning the 1951 Pacific Coast Conference title and playing in the 1952 Rose Bowl. He also talks about playing for George Halas and the Chicago Bears of the 1950s while enrolled in medical school. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com  

George Toma has been the groundskeeper for every single Super Bowl, from Super Bowl I through Super Bowl LV. He shares stories about preparing the field for Super Bowls and the 1966 NFL Championship Game, his work with the AFL, as well as his early life in Pennsylvania’s coal country. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com

Encore presentation about the best NFL Week 1 games in pro football history. The program highlights Norm Van Brocklin's 554 passing yards, the first-ever AFL game, the first-ever Minnesota Vikings game, and Dan Marino's return after a career-threatening injury. Learn more at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com 

Al Denson shares memories about his career with the Denver Broncos and playing for legendary Florida A&M coach Jake Gaither. Denson led the American Football League in TD catches in 1967. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com

Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel shares insights about the signature game of his career – leading Texas A&M to a victory at Alabama in 2012. Host Jackson Michael guides listeners through key moments of the game. Hear more from Johnny Manziel on his Ball Don't Lie podcast featuring Johnny Manziel and recording artist Mike. Learn more about The Game Before the Money at https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com