Unvarnished Football
Former NFL executive Upton Bell provides the best football insights with co-host Michael Jackson. No gimmicks. No gossip. Just football.
Upton Bell was Director of Player Personnel for the Baltimore Colts under head coach Don Shula in the 1960s. Held same role when the Colts won Super Bowl V. He next became General Manager of the New England Patriots and changed the team’s name from the Boston Patriots to New England Patriots. His father, Bert Bell, founded the Philadelphia Eagles and was later NFL commissioner. Bert Bell invented the NFL Draft, the two-
minute warning, and overtime. Upton also was a pro football team owner, owning the World Football League’s Charlotte Hornets. His broadcasting credits including hosting New England Patriots pregame and postgame shows, and the long-running television show, “Sports Beat” on WSBK-TV in Boston. He is regularly quoted in many national media outlets including the New York Times and Washington Post.
Michael Jackson is an author, oral historian, and show host. His oral history book, The Game Before the Money was published by the University of Nebraska Press in 2014 and included interviews with NFL legends like Frank Gifford, Bart Starr, and Don Maynard. He writes TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com and hosts The Game Before the Money Podcast. Other past projects include directing a film documentary featuring the 1970s Luv Ya Blue Oilers, an oral history of HBCU
football, and two more published football books. As a host, he hosted a weekly national program on the SportsMap Radio Network, weekly live high school football postgame shows and high school football play-by-play on multiple radio stations in the Austin/San Antonio market area.
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Episodes
24 hours ago
24 hours ago
Former Colts head scout Upton Bell shares about the evolution of scouting from his time in the 1960s working for Don Shula with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The pair also discusses a recent Harvard CTE study finding that former NFL players are four times more likely to develop CTE, sharing stories of players they've known who were diagnosed with CTE.
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
Former NFL General Manager Upton Bell discusses the changing role of the GM in today's NFL with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The pair also talk about the Raiders signing QB Kirk Cousins.
Hear all episodes at UnvarnishedFootball.com.
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell discusses the NFL's new coaching hires and the NFL scheduling games on Wednesday and in Australia with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The two have an unvarnished discussion about African American head coaches and how many NFL teams truly upgraded with their new coaching hires.
Unvarnished Football: No Fluff. No Filler. JUST FOOTBALL.
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell discusses how fans and players might be affected by the NFL's plans for a potential 18-game season and at least one international game per team each season with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. Upton Bell worked for the Colts and Patriots as Director of Player Personnel and as General Manager. His father, Bert Bell, founded the Philadelphia Eagles and was later the NFL's commissioner.
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell discusses the Maxx Crosby failed trade situation with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The two also question if free agency actually helps teams win championships, looking back on the past for examples.
Pat Mahomes' injury is also looked at, and the hosts explore what it might mean for his future.
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell examines how the NFL has avoided having full free agency compared with other sports like Major League Baseball and the NBA with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The two also discuss the current NFL free agency market and coaching great Lou Holtz.
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell previews the NFL Combine with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. Bell also details how he evaluated players during his time as a scout with the Baltimore Colts and as General Manager of the New England Patriots.
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell reviews documentaries of the Cowboys and 49ers dynasties, which are available on streaming channels. He and co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money also discuss the two teams and their stars.
Thursday Feb 12, 2026
Thursday Feb 12, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell and Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money provide the best postgame analysis of Super Bowl 60. The duo also share personal memories of late Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen.
Thursday Feb 05, 2026
Thursday Feb 05, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell previews the upcoming Super Bowl 60 with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. Bell also shares behind-the-scenes stories of Super Bowl 3 and Super Bowl 5, when he worked as Director of Player Personnel for the Baltimore Colts.