Born: Feb. 25, 1951, in Washington, D.C.
Family: Wife, Dorothy; daughter, Katrina
Education: Harvard University, American Government (1973); basketball, three-time Second Team All-Ivy selection
1973
Atlanta Hawks, fourth-round draft pick
1974-81
Xerox and Eastman Kodak, sales
1978-1983
Washington Bullets color analyst
1979
BET Network, color analyst
1981
Washington, D.C., Channel 9 and Channel 7, weekend sports anchor and weekday sports reporter
1983
“CBS Sports Spectacular,” reporter
1984
CBS, analyst, college basketball and NBA
1987
CBS, play-by-play, NFL
1992
Barcelona Summer Olympics, reporter
1994
• Lillehammer Winter Olympics, reporter
• “Fox NFL Sunday,” studio host
1994-1998
“NHL on Fox” (Fox), studio host
1995
“Real Sports” with Bryant Gumbel (HBO), correspondent
1997-1999
“The World’s Funniest” (Fox), host
1997
Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame
1998
• Black Broadcasters Alliance, Golden Mike Award
• Sports Emmy Award, Outstanding Sports Personality — Studio Host (first)
1999
• American Sportscaster Association, Sportscaster of the Year (Studio Host)
• Sports Emmy Award, Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host (second)
2001
NFL Players Inc. creates event called “Unsung Heroes,” which is later renamed the JB Awards in honor of Brown and benefits the Special Olympics
2002
• “The James Brown Show” (Sporting News Radio), host
• International Black Broadcasters Association, Broadcasting Excellence Award
2005
• The 100 Black Men of America, Director’s Award for Broadcasting
• Greater Washington Urban League, Sam Lacy Award
2006
• Legends for Charity, Pat Summerall Award
• CBS NCAA basketball tournament coverage, host
2006-Current
• “The NFL Today” (CBS), studio host
• Washington Nationals, minority owner
2007
• Maxwell Football Club, Excellence Award for Broadcasting
• Sports Emmy Award, Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host (third)
2008-2013
“Inside the NFL” (Showtime), co-host, alongside Phil Simms and Cris Collinsworth
2009
• Publishes book, “Role of a Lifetime: Reflections on Faith, Family and Significant Living”
• Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation, Dick Schaap Memorial Award for Media Excellence
• AARP, community ambassador
• Becomes ordained minister
2010
• SI.com, “Best Studio Host of the Decade”
• “Faces of Black History,” celebrating Black Media Legends, honoree
2012
CBS News, special correspondent (for “60 Minutes,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “48 Hours,” “CBS this Morning” and “CBS Evening News”)
2014
• “Thursday Night Football” (CBS), host
• Tony Dungy, the Uncommon Award for leadership through character and faith
2016
• Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pete Rozelle Award
• “Inside the NFL” (Showtime), host (second time)
• Joins with The GW Ron and Joy Paul Kidney Center for ad campaign
2020
Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame
2021
Covers the Super Bowl for the 10th time
2023
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Distinguished Service Award
2024
Sports Emmy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award
2026
National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame
