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.
Listen on:
Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
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.
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Former NFL Colts and Patriots executive Upton Bell discusses Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame snub with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The pair also recaps the AFC and NFC Championship Game, and Upton shares memories of 49ers legendary quarterback John Brodie.
Friday Jan 23, 2026
Friday Jan 23, 2026
Former New England Patriots GM Upton Bell previews the AFC Championship and NFC Championship with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. Bell also shares amazing memories working under Don Shula as the Colts faced the Packers in the 1965 NFL Playoffs with third-string quarterback Tom Matte. Bell adds in memories of him and his father, NFL Commissioner Bert Bell, following the 1957 NFL Playoffs with Lions backup QB Tobin Rote leading Detroit to the NFL Championship.
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Former NFL executive Upton Bell previews the NFL Divisional Playoff round with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The two also discuss the Giants hiring John Harbaugh as head coach and the College Football Playoff Championship Game.
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Upton Bell, a former NFL executive for the Colts and Patriots, looks at the opening round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money. The pair also discussing NFL coach firings.
NO FLUFF. NO FILLER. JUST FOOTBALL.
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Upton Bell, a former NFL executive with the Colts and Patriots, looks at Week 18 with co-host Michael Jackson of The Game Before the Money.
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Former NFL executive Upton Bell discusses the Rams vs Seahawks game with The Game Before the Money's Michael Jackson. This is a test run of a new podcast. The pair also compare the top teams of the 2025 NFL Season