As the host of “The NFL Today” on CBS, James Brown is the person responsible for facilitating the network’s pregame coverage for Super Bowl LV on Sunday. Brown is no stranger to the big stage, having won three Emmy Awards during his broadcasting career that’s spanned over 30 years.
In fact, this is the 10th time Brown has been tasked with hosting the Super Bowl pregame show, breaking a tie with Brent Musberger for the most ever. He has served as the host of “The NFL Today” since leaving FOX to return to CBS in 2006.
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Brown, who was selected in the fourth round of the 1973 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks after playing collegiately at Harvard, got his start in broadcasting as a basketball analyst. He has covered a variety of sports during his time at CBS and FOX, including the Olympics and NCAA Tournament.
As successful as Brown’s career has been, however, there is no mistaking what his top priority is. His faith in God serves as the foundation of his life and the driving force behind everything he does. In fact, he’s also an ordained minister who regularly preaches in the offseason, and leads a Bible study with Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy.
“It’s only what we’ve done for the Lord that really matters,” Brown said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast back in 2017. “That will last.”
The Washington D.C., native joined the podcast again in August to discuss the pandemic and race relations, and also served as the host of Sports Spectrum’s Football Sunday in 2018.
Brown strives to share his faith with the people around him as well as those watching him on TV through the way he carries himself. He wants his actions to point people to God.
“I don’t go around trying to beat people over the head with the Bible,” Brown said on the podcast. “I try to model it in my lifestyle.”
His desire to serve God as well as possible was one of the primary motivations behind his remarkable physical transformation in recent years. For Brown, it all comes back to reciprocating the love God has shown him.
“If you understand that He is all about love, that God is love, and the unfathomable sacrifice made on our behalf, you will want to do all that pleases Him and to live a model life,” he said on the podcast.
Brown and the rest of “The NFL Today” crew will be live starting at 2 p.m. ET for a special four-hour show called “The Super Bowl Today” leading up to the game. The Buccaneers and Chiefs will kick off from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa at 6:30 p.m. ET.
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