This episode is a tribute to former NFL linebacker Bill Bergey, whose passing was announced Christmas Day. We include an archival interview that host Ken Crippen did with Bergey back in 2012 to let him know that he was inducted into the Professional Football Researcher’s Association’s Hall of Very Good and his thoughts on it are discussed in the interview. Also in that interview, we discuss his life and football career, including his time with the Bengals and Eagles, and his court battle he had with the Bengals over Bergey’s signing with the World Football League.

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

This episode’s special guest is former NFL offensive tackle George Kunz, who played for the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Colts. He was the second overall pick in the 1969 NFL draft, behind O.J. Simpson. He earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl in his nine-year playing career.

This podcast is the first part of our discussion with George. The second part can be found in our Historical Scouting Reports Class. In the class, he dives into deeper detail on offensive line play and his techniques for facing his toughest opponents, like Hall of Famer Deacon Jones.

Historical Scouting Reports Class: https://www.football-learning-academy.com/courses/historical-scouting-reports-and-contributor-profiles

Football Learning Academy Website:

To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

This episode’s special guest is former NFL tight end Daniel Wilcox, who played for the New York Jets, won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and played for the Baltimore Ravens. Hear his honest thoughts of playing for Herm Edwards, Jon Gruden, and John Harbaugh.

Football Learning Academy Website:

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

This episode’s special guest is Pro Football Hall of Fame selector Clark Judge, who not only serves on the main selection committee, but is also a member of the Blue-Ribbon Committee for Contributors. We talk about the new selection process, as well as some of the seniors, coaches, and contributors that may become finalists this year.

Football Learning Academy Website:

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

This episode is a celebration of the 100th season of the New York Giants. We will talk about their early history, early Hall of Famers, and will cap it off with an archival interview with Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells.

Football Learning Academy Website:

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

Today’s special guest is legendary broadcaster Chris Berman, who joined ESPN in 1979, a month after its founding. He spent 31 years hosting Sunday NFL Countdown and ten years hosting Monday Night Countdown, among his many other duties at the network. In this episode, we go behind the scenes at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, as well as talk about the American Football League.

Apologies for the audio quality of this broadcast.

Football Learning Academy Website:

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

This episode’s special guest is Greg Thomas, who made history when he was the first starting African-American quarterback in high school in San Angelo, Texas, and he became the first African-American starting quarterback in University of Arkansas history. He was 28-8 as a starter, played in four bowl games, and was named MVP of the 1987 Liberty Bowl.

For the Pro Football History Nugget of the Week, we will actually talk college football, specifically Martin Lemond, who was the first African-American quarterback to play at the University of Arkansas.

Apologies for the audio quality of this broadcast.

Football Learning Academy Website:

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

When Football Is Football is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

HIGHLIGHTED SHOW: THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact. 

HOST: STEVE WHITE

Steve White has spent most of his life behind a microphone. As a kid, he realized the power of the spoken word, hanging out with his dad while the pair talked to people around the world via ham radio.

Later, Steve put that penchant for communication into practice and ventured into radio and TV. He worked for a few television stations in North Carolina doing sports reporting and anchoring before transitioning to voiceover in 2015. He’s voiced more than 80 audiobooks in a variety of genres.

He’s never been much for awards, probably due to the fact he’s never won any but he loves the challenge of diving into new projects. His ‘This Day in Sports History’ evolved from a lifetime of watching, listening to, and going to ballgames, reading books, magazines, and newspaper articles about his favorite teams and sports heroes. It’s not only a labor of love but a voyage of discovery, finding those forgotten tidbits or fascinating things he never knew.

Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

Today’s special guest is Hall of Fame offensive lineman Ron Mix, who played for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders. He was a nine-time all-AFL player and an eight-time AFL All-Star.

For the Pro Football History Nugget of the Week, we talk about we talk about other American Football League players who played all ten years of the league’s existence and are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Visit the Pro Football Retired Players Association at: https://www.pfrpa.com/

Football Learning Academy Website:

To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com

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Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

Today’s special guest is Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, who played with the Chicago Bears from 2000 through 2012. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. In this episode, we talk about something that is important to both Brian and me, and that is helping retired players in need. Brian is on the board of directors for the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, and we spend time talking about that organization in this interview. We also talked a little Hall of Fame and the current state of the Chicago Bears.

For the Pro Football History Nugget of the Week, we talk about the lineage of great linebackers for the Chicago Bears.

Visit Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund at: https://www.gridirongreats.org/

Football Learning Academy Website:

To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com

Social Media:

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@footballlearningacademy

Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.