James Brown (sportscaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Brown
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Brown in 2000.
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James Talmadge Brown
February 25, 1951 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Other names | J.B. |
| Education | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Sportscaster, sport correspondent |
| Employer | CBS, CBS Sports |
| Spouse(s) | Dorothy |
| Children | 1 |
James Talmadge Brown, born on February 25, 1951, is a well-known American sportscaster. He is famous for hosting The James Brown Show and The NFL Today on CBS Sports. He also works as a special correspondent for CBS News. Before joining CBS, he hosted Fox NFL Sunday, a popular NFL pregame show, for eleven years on Fox Sports.
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Early Life and Sports
James Brown was born in Washington, D.C. on February 25, 1951. His parents were John and Maryann Brown. He is also the nephew of the famous Hollywood actor Clifton Powell.
High School and College Sports
James went to DeMatha Catholic High School. He was a talented basketball player and was named to the All-Metropolitan boys basketball teams in 1967 and 1968. His team was even ranked number one nationally in high school basketball! Many players from that team, including James, went on to play for top college teams.
After high school, James attended Harvard University. He studied American government and continued to play basketball for the Harvard Crimson team. He was honored as an All-Ivy League player in his last three years and was the team's captain in his senior year. His college roommate was Cornel West, who later became a famous professor and activist. In 1973, the Atlanta Hawks picked him in the NBA draft.
Broadcasting Career
After trying out for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks in the mid-1970s, James Brown decided to try a different path. He worked for big companies like Xerox and Eastman Kodak.
Starting at CBS (1984–1994)
James began his career in sports broadcasting in 1984. He started by announcing Washington Bullets basketball games on TV. He also worked as an analyst for The NBA on CBS. Later, he became an anchor at a TV station in Washington and did some work for CBS Sports.
CBS Sports hired him again in 1987. He became a play-by-play announcer for the network's NFL and college basketball games. He also reported from the NBA Finals and the 1990 National League Championship Series. James hosted shows during the 1992 Winter Olympics and the 1994 Winter Olympics. He also co-hosted CBS Sports Saturday/Sunday.
Fox and Back to CBS (1994–Present)
In 1994, James Brown became the host of the NFL on Fox pregame show. He worked alongside former football stars like Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and coach Jimmy Johnson.
From 1994 to 1998, James was also the main studio host for NHL on Fox, covering hockey. He even appeared in the NHL '97 video game! His voice was also featured in Madden NFL 2001.
After the 2005 NFL season, James decided to return to CBS Sports. He wanted to be closer to his home in Washington, D.C. He still hosts the college basketball pregame, halftime, and postgame shows for CBS.
Other Appearances and Roles
James Brown has hosted other TV shows like The World's Funniest! and a radio show called Coast to Coast. He was also a correspondent for Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He even appeared in an episode of the TV show Married... with Children in 1996.
In March 2009, James was named the Community Ambassador for AARP, an organization that helps older people. He has also interviewed famous sports figures like NFL quarterback Michael Vick for 60 Minutes. In 2013, he reported on the story of Brian Banks for 60 Minutes.
Since 2014, James Brown has been a substitute anchor for the CBS Evening News. He has also contributed to other CBS news shows like CBS This Morning and CBS Sunday Morning. In 2023, he interviewed Henry Louis Gates Jr. for a news show called America in Black.
Personal Life
James Brown lives in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington, D.C., with his wife Dorothy. He has a daughter named Katrina. He used to have a second home in California when he worked for FOX. The NCAA named him one of the 100 most influential student athletes. He has three granddaughters and one grandson.
In 2006, James Brown became a part-owner of the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team. He was one of several investors in the group led by real estate developer Ted Lerner.
Career Timeline
- 1984–1985: NBA on CBS – Color Commentator
- 1984–1986: College Basketball on CBS – Color commentator
- 1987–1990: NBA on CBS – Sideline reporter
- 1987–1993: NFL on CBS – Play-by-play
- 1989–1990: NBA on CBS – Play-by-play
- 1990–1993, 2007: College Basketball on CBS – Play-by-play
- 1990: Major League Baseball on CBS – Sideline reporter
- 1994–2005: Fox NFL Sunday – Host
- 1994–1998: NHL on Fox – Studio host
- 2006–present: The NFL Today – Host
- 2008–2023: Inside the NFL – Host
- 2014–present: CBS Evening News – Substitute anchor
- 2017–2019: The James Brown Show - host
