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Unvarnished Football

Unvarnished Football

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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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Football (American)
Episodes
  • Super Bowl 60 Recap and Sonny Jurgensen Memories
    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.

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    58 mins
  • Super Bowl 60 Preview
    Feb 5 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.

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    46 mins
  • Belichick HOF Snub and AFC NFC Championship Recaps
    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.

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    54 mins
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