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.

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Football Historian, Jackson

Oral History of Pro and College Football Players

Interviews with NFL Legends

An Afternoon with Cotton Davidson

December 15, 2014

Stanford played in the 1952 Rose Bowl against Illinois. Stanford won the 1951 Pacific Coast Conference football championship.

1951 Stanford Rose Bowl Football Season

October 12, 2021

Ken Houston returned two interceptions for touchdowns in one quarter of an NFL game to set an NFL record.

Ken Houston NFL Records

January 19, 2021

Warren Moon says he was ready to give up football if he couldn't play quarterback.

Why Did Warren Moon Play in Canada?

April 1, 2022

John Wooten of the Cleveland Browns tells stories from the 1964 NFL Championship Game.

Stories from the 1964 NFL Championship Game

January 26, 2022

Pete Brewster shares stories from his nine seasons in the NFL, including seven with Paul Brown’s legendary Cleveland Browns of the 1950s.

Pete Brewster – Most Underrated NFL Receiver of the 1950s

April 1, 2022

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

Al Wistert History

Al Wistert – Michigan Football, Philadelphia Eagles

July 9, 2014

Warren Moon's college career with the Washington Huskies.

Warren Moon’s College Career

June 12, 2023

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

NFL legend Raymond Berry played college football at SMU with Lamar Hunt, founder of the American Football League

Raymond Berry Shares Memories of Lamar Hunt

January 8, 2021

Pete Brewster played for the 1950s Cleveland Browns

Pete Brewster — 1950s NFL Legend Interview

September 17, 2020

Oral History of Football Coaches

Interviews with Legendary Coaches

Story of Dick Vermeil becoming head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dick Vermeil Coach of Eagles

August 5, 2022

NFL head football coach Dick Vermeil tells the story of why he started his coaching career.

What Inspired Dick Vermeil to Coach Football

September 16, 2021

Junction Boy, Gene Stallings shares stories of being coached by Bear Bryant at Texas A&M.

The Texas A&M Junction Boys

February 10, 2022

Tom Osborne Nebraska Football Documentary Podcast

Tom Osborne Interview Part 2

June 29, 2020

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

Joe Collier’s Defensive Schemes

May 7, 2022

A graphic for a blog post on the life and times of NFL referee Jim Tunney.

Jim Tunney: A Referee’s Life on the Gridiron

February 6, 2025

Marv Levy shares the story of how Bob Devaney helped him get the head coaching job at the University of California.

Bob Devaney Got Marv Levy Hired

June 15, 2022

Bert Bell – The Great NFL Commissioner

March 24, 2020

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

Nebraska head football coach Tom Osborne started coaching at Nebraska with a small job.

Coach Tom Osborne’s Humble Beginnings at Nebraska

September 8, 2021

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

Podcast: Bert Bell — The Great Commissioner

October 29, 2018

Team Histories

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

Houston Oilers History: Audiobook revisits Mike Renfro Play, 40 Years Later

January 6, 2020

Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers Playoff History

Cowboys 49ers Playoffs

January 21, 2023

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

Do You Remember Luv Ya Blue?

September 23, 2021

Steelers-Oilers-Rivalry-1970s

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

February 23, 2023

A graphic celebrating the history of the Kansas City Chiefs professional football team.

The AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs: A Dynasty Forged in the 1960s

January 24, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers played as the Steagles and Card/Pitt in World War II

The Pittsburgh Steelers during World War II

July 8, 2020

Junction Boy, Gene Stallings shares stories of being coached by Bear Bryant at Texas A&M.

The Texas A&M Junction Boys

February 10, 2022

How the Philadelphia Eagles got their name.

How the Philadelphia Eagles Were Named

November 4, 2021

Classic Games

The Kansas City Chiefs played at the Buffalo Bills for the 1966 AFL Championship.

BILLS VS CHIEFS FOR THE SUPER BOWL

January 18, 2021

Stanford played in the 1952 Rose Bowl against Illinois. Stanford won the 1951 Pacific Coast Conference football championship.

1951 Stanford Rose Bowl Football Season

October 12, 2021

John Wooten of the Cleveland Browns tells stories from the 1964 NFL Championship Game.

Stories from the 1964 NFL Championship Game

January 26, 2022

The 1979 Houston Oilers vs Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game was a great game

Forgotten Classic: 1979 Houston Oilers at Dallas Cowboys – Best NFL Thanksgiving Game Ever?

February 1, 2023

Learn Football History

Gale Sayers scored six touchdowns in one game on December 12, 1965

Gale Sayers 6 TDs in One Game

June 16, 2020

Does a great NFL draft mean your team is going to the Super Bowl?

The Story of the NFL Draft and Super Bowl 48

May 8, 2014

What were the best Super Bowl moments?

Best I Remember: Super Bowl Moments

February 8, 2023

This Might Surprise You — After Merger, Only 4 AFL Teams Have Won Super Bowls

August 30, 2018

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