The Official Football Learning Academy Podcast Ken Crippen

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.

Today’s special guest is former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler, who played with Washington and the New Orleans Saints. After his football career, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives for three terms. We talk about all of this and more in this episode.
For the Pro Football History Nugget of the Week, we discuss George Taliaferro, the first Black player to be drafted by the NFL.

This episode brought to you by the PowerPlus Mouthguard, a device whose data shows that it reduces concussions by over 99%. To learn more, go to https://powerplusmouthguard.com/

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 1979-84.

Today’s special guest is former Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker Reggie Williams. He played with the team from 1976 through 1989, was named NFL Man of the Year in 1986, The “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year in 1985 and the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year in 1987. After his football career, he became an executive in the World League of American Football and with Disney. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
For the Pro Football History Nugget of the Week, we discuss the Freezer Bowl.

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 1979-84.

Today, we are focusing on Andy Russell, who passed away February 29th at the age of 82. I interviewed him back in 2012 and the audio you’re about to listen to is from that interview. Russell played linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1963 through 1976. He was on two of the Steelers Super Bowl Championship teams and went to seven Pro Bowls. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, in the Pittsburgh Steelers Ring of Honor, and is in the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was a true pleasure to get to know Andy Russell, and he will be missed.
This episode contains snippets from my 2012 interview with Andy Russell.

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 1979-84.

This week's special guest is historian and author Mike Richman, who just wrote a book titled "George Allen: A Football Life." He has also authored "The Redskins Encyclopedia," "The Washington Redskins Football Vault," and "Joe Gibbs: An Enduring Legacy." Finally, he has written thousands of feature articles for such publications as The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, and Sports Illustrated. This episode focuses on Mike's new biography of Hall of Fame coach George Allen.
Mike Richman's Website:
https://mikerichmanjournalist.com/

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 1979-84.

Today’s special guest is Harold Jackson, whom I interviewed back in 2013. Jackson was a wide receiver for the Rams, Eagles, Patriots, Vikings, and Seahawks from 1968 through 1987. After playing, he went into coaching and had various stops in college and the pros.
For the Pro Football History Nugget of the Week, we talk about the history of scouting and the combine. How did it get the name “combine?” Find out in this episode!

This episode brought to you by the PowerPlus Mouthguard, a device whose data shows that it reduces concussions by over 99%. To learn more, go to https://powerplusmouthguard.com/

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 1979-84.