“NFL Today” Broadcaster James Brown to Headline 2025 Rockhurst University Leadership Series

James Brown, host of “NFL Today” on CBS and a three-time Emmy Award-winning network broadcaster, will be the guest of the 2025 Rockhurst University Leadership Series, presenting "Break the Huddle and Run the Play” at the event scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri.

Elected to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in August 2020, Brown is one of the most recognizable faces and voices in television. He is a record-setting 10-time host for the Super Bowl and a contributor to programs such as 60 Minutes, CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News and 48 Hours.

In addition to his roles for CBS, Brown’s previously served as host of "Inside The NFL" on Showtime and Paramount+, host of Thursday Night Football on CBS and the NFL Network, co-host of Fox NFL Sunday, correspondent for "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO, and host of a nationally syndicated radio show on Sporting News Radio. In 2009, James’ first co-authored book, “Role of a Lifetime: Reflections on Faith, Family and Significant Living,” was released.

Among many honors, Brown is the recipient of the 2016 Pete Rozelle Award by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which recognizes “longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football,” and “The Uncommon Award” from Tony Dungy for his “uncommon leadership through character and faith.” Brown was a 2010 honoree as one of the “Faces of Black History” celebrating Black Media Legends who have impacted the Black community through their achievements and positive examples and was honored with the Greater Washington Urban League’s Sam Lacy Award in 2005. Brown was also the first recipient of the coveted Pat Summerall Award presented annually during Super Bowl weekend. In May 2024, Brown was presented with Lifetime Achievement honors at the 45th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards.

Brown, a Washington, D.C. native, is a graduate of Harvard University where he was a 3x All-Ivy selection in basketball and is in the Harvard Basketball Hall of Fame. He is involved in several charitable organizations, including GENYOUth of which he is a board member, the Ron & Joy Paul Kidney Center at George Washington University and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Brown is also an ordained minister and is actively involved in speaking at churches and conferences around the country.

This year’s event marks the 13th edition of the Rockhurst University Leadership Series, a long-running tradition bringing some of the world’s foremost thinkers and luminaries to Kansas City to speak on aspects of their leadership. Past guests have included David Brooks, Caroline Kennedy, Joe Montana, Condoleezza Rice and Capt. Scott Kelly.

Also during the event, Rockhurst University will honor the recipient of the 2025 Rashford-Lyon Award for Leadership and Ethics, Denny Thum, ’74. The Rashford-Lyon Award for Leadership and Ethics is named for two of Rockhurst’s influential leaders: the late Tom Lyon, Ph.D., and the Rev. Nick Rashford, S.J. Established in 2014, the Rashford-Lyon Award for Leadership and Ethics honors recipients who exemplify high ethical standards of business conduct with excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work and inspiration to others. Past recipients include Tom Lyon, Ph.D.; Jane Chu, Ph.D., ’05 EMBA; Mayor Sly James, ’80; Patricia Cleary Miller, Ph.D.; Tom McCullough, ’64, and Tom McDonnell, ’66; Jean Dunn, Wendy Doyle, ’94, Lisa Ginter, ’87, Ama Karikari, M.D., ’07, Marny Sherman, ’75, and Bridgette Williams, ’16 EMBA; Joe Reardon, '90; Madeline Romious, ’95 MBA; and Dave Harrison, ’81.