THE GAME BEFORE THE MONEY

An Oral History of Pro and College Football

The Game Before the Money preserves the life and career stories of former pro and college football players, in their own words.

Humanities Texas grant award recipient for HBCU podcast series, Their Game, Their Times, currently in development.

Oral History Podcast

About The Game Before the Money

Read the Blog

Football Oral History Book

Listen to the Radio Show

Oral History of Pro and College Football Players

Interviews with NFL Legends

Graphic for article with Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk talking about the Mile High Miracle

Baltimore Ravens Mile High Miracle and Super Bowl Journey with Matt Birk

January 15, 2021

Why did Adrian Peterson choose Oklahoma

Adrian Peterson OU

May 29, 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted four Hall of Famersi in 1974, the best NFL draft ever.

1974 Steelers – Best Ever NFL Draft?

May 18, 2022

Podcast — 1962 Heisman Trophy Winner Terry Baker

November 28, 2018

Don Maynard History and Insights

An Afternoon with Don Maynard Part 2

June 10, 2014

Drew Pearson describes the Hail Mary catch he made for the Dallas Cowboys.

Drew Pearson Hail Mary Catch

July 22, 2021

Bills head coach, Marv Levy, shares the story of drafting future Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas in the 1988 NFL draft.

Thurman Thomas NFL Draft

April 7, 2022

Two football greats, Robert Griffin III and Mike Renfro, were inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

Heisman Winner RG3, Oilers Mike Renfro Join Texas Sports Hall of Fame

March 18, 2022

Willie Roaf was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 1993.

Willie Roaf and the NFL Draft

July 22, 2021

2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel lists his favorite college football players as a kid, including 2 quarterbacks.

Johnny Manziel Lists Favorite Players

July 29, 2021

Hugh McElhenny tells the story of playing for the San Francisco 49ers Million Dollar Backfield and how he got the nickname "The King".

“The King” of The 49ers Million Dollar Backfield

October 27, 2021

Bob Lilly shares stories from Super Bowl 6.

Bob Lilly – Super Bowl 6

March 4, 2022

Oral History of Football Coaches

Legendary Coaches

Dick Vermeil was the NFL's first-ever special teams coach.

How Dick Vermeil Became the NFL’s First-Ever Special Teams Coach

September 8, 2021

Bills head coach, Marv Levy, shares the story of drafting future Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas in the 1988 NFL draft.

Thurman Thomas NFL Draft

April 7, 2022

Tom Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys

Tom Landry – Legendary Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys

October 6, 2014

Interview with Nebraska Football Coach Tom Osborne

Tom Osborne Interview

June 29, 2020

Nebraska head football coach Tom Osborne coached Nebraska to 25 consecutive winning seasons

Tom Osborne and Nebraska Football Winning Seasons

January 19, 2021

Tom Osborne Nebraska Football Documentary Podcast

Tom Osborne Interview Part 2

June 29, 2020

The 1999 St. Louis Rams were the Greatest Show on Turf and won the Super Bowl. Dick Vermeil was the head coach. Hall of Famer Orlando Pace was a star lineman.

Orlando Pace and Dick Vermeil Remember The Greatest Show on Turf

February 8, 2022

Karl Mecklenburg shares about the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Collier’s leadership.

Karl Mecklenburg Explains Joe Collier’s Defensive Schemes

May 7, 2022

Team Histories

Red, White, and Columbia Blue: Chasing the Dream with the 1979 Houston Oilers

Houston Oilers History: Audiobook revisits Mike Renfro Play

January 6, 2020

The Houston Oilers were a beloved team during the 1978 and 1979 Luv Ya Blue Era.

Why Are the Houston Oilers So Loved Despite Never Winning a Super Bowl?

September 23, 2021

The Los Angeles Rams won the 1951 NFL Championship.

Rams Won First Super Bowl 70 Years After First LA Title

February 2, 2022

The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers had a great NFL rivalry in the 1970s.

A Brief History of the Steelers Cowboys 70s NFL Rivalry

August 4, 2021

Steelers-Oilers-Rivalry-1970s

A Brief History of The 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Oilers Rivalry

February 23, 2023

Marv Levy explains the beginning of the Buffalo Bills no-huddle offense.

Buffalo Bills No-Huddle Offense

April 24, 2023

The Minnesota Vikings first-ever game in franchise history was against the Chicago Bears. It was a breakout game for a future Hall of Famer, Fran Tarkenton.

First Minnesota Vikings Game

August 5, 2022

The most consecutive road wins by an NFL team was 18 wins by the San Francisco 49ers between the 1988 and 1990 seasons.

Most NFL Wins on the Road

December 5, 2022

Classic Games

The 1962 NFL Championship Game was Packers VS. Giants

1962 NFL Championship – 1st Half

January 17, 2023

What was Jim Brown's role in the 1964 NFL Championship Game?

Jim Brown Did More Than Run for the Cleveland Browns

January 11, 2022

Drew Pearson describes the Hail Mary catch he made for the Dallas Cowboys.

Drew Pearson Hail Mary Catch

July 22, 2021

A review of the second half of the 1962 NFL Championship. The game was played between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants, ending in a Packers win.

1962 NFL Championship – 2nd Half

January 20, 2023

Learn Football History

Packers wide receiver Boyd Dowler tells the story of being on active army duty during the 1961 NFL championship game.

Packers Players on Active Army Duty During the 1961 Season

September 27, 2021

Interview with Maya Washington, daughter of Gene Washington of Michigan State.

Maya Washington Discusses Father Gene Washington

April 2, 2022

Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo were the quarterbacks in Super Bowl 54

QB Reality — Super Bowl 54

January 28, 2020

Tom Brady and Great NFL QBs Changing Teams

June 2, 2020

Football Oral History Books, DVDs, and Podcasts

The Game Before the Money Book

Houston Oilers DVD

The Game Before the Money Podcast

Red, White, and Columbia Blue: Chasing the Dream with the 1979 Houston Oilers