You think you know Jayne Kennedy.
You. Do. Not.
But that affinity is something that has served the sports broadcaster, actor, pageant queen, spokesmodel and fitness instructor (plus a half-dozen or so other resume titles) well since her star first started rising in the 1970s.
What went on behind the scenes — such as the real story about how CBS fired her three times from “The NFL Today” — was a totally different story and kept on the down low. Until now.
Kennedy will share insights from her new autobiography, “Plain Jayne: A Memoir” (Andscape Books; September 2025), during a meet-and-greet session, conversation and book signing set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale.
“Ms. Kennedy’s memoir is a vivid reminder of the many battles that women, and especially Black women, have fought to achieve respect and opportunity in the workplace, and even something that women of my generation have come to take for granted: financial independence,” said Dr. Tameka Hobbs, historian and AARLCC regional manager. “Jayne Kennedy is more than just a glamorous face, she is a trailblazer and an inspiration.”
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That glamour that Hobbs references is Kennedy’s “It Girl” status, which started with TV appearances — she sang and danced on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” and “The Dean Martin Show” and acted on shows such as “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Sanford & Son,” “The Love Boat,” “Wonder Woman” and “Starsky & Hutch.” In between, she squeezed in Bob Hope’s “Bases Around the World Christmas Tour.”
Kennedy, who was crowned Miss Ohio USA in 1970, also made it to the big screen in movies such as “The Muthers,” “Death Force” and “Body and Soul” (for which she took home the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture in 1982).
But many probably remember Kennedy from 1978 to 1980 as the first Black woman correspondent on the aforementioned sports pre-game program “The NFL Today,” replacing Phyllis George. In 1982, she won an Emmy Award for hosting a Rose Bowl Game.
In addition to her book appearance, Kennedy is scheduled to appear at the 14th Annual Women of Color Empowerment Conference, which is taking place at The Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale from Sept. 12-14. For more information on this event, go to nationalwomenofcolor.com.
Here are excerpts from a Q&A session with Kennedy that’s been edited for clarity and length.
Jayne Kennedy has been a sports broadcaster, actor, pageant queen, spokesmodel and fitness instructor, among a half-dozen or so other resume titles. (Jayne Kennedy/Courtesy)
Q: What led you to writing your memoir?
A: I actually started writing in the year 2000, at my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, 25 years ago. I had been thinking about it for a long time and kept putting it off. One day, I realized I just needed to get it out of my head, because holding on to those thoughts was weighing on me. I started writing like crazy, sometimes for two years, just for two weeks, and other times I’d go years without writing. Some parts were difficult to face, and I wasn’t yet comfortable with them. I also wanted to wait until my daughters were out of college, which didn’t happen until 2017. It has been a long journey, but now I’m finally happy with what I have on paper. Writing this book has made me mentally healthier. This process wasn’t just about creating a book; it was about healing. I wanted women to know this could also be a path for them.
Q: How do you feel about past misconceptions, such as the idea that you quit at CBS?
A: Being a celebrity comes with misconceptions. People think they know you because they see you on TV, but they don’t. One of the biggest misconceptions is that I quit “The NFL Today.” That’s not true. I was fired — three times. … Even Black media criticized me for “walking away,” which was untrue and deeply unfair. There were also other mistruths in the press about my personal life. Much of it came from admiration, but still, I was very private and often too busy working to live the way I was portrayed.
Q: Are there moments from “Plain Jayne” that take place in Florida?
A: Yes, most definitely. My Miss USA pageant was in Miami Beach while I was still in high school. It was overwhelming; I had little preparation compared to other contestants. Debbie Shelton, Miss Virginia, took me under her wing, and she ended up winning Miss USA that year. That experience taught me a lot about speaking up for myself. It also showed me the importance of community support, like [Cleveland, Ohio] Mayor Carl Stokes’ wife rallying women to help me compete in style, buying dresses for the competition. Later, in Tampa Bay, I covered NFL games and even cooked dinner for Doug Williams and his teammates. When, against all the others on “The NFL Today” desk, I predicted Tampa would win, [commentator] Jimmy “The Greek” [Snyder] was furious, but the players thanked me for believing in them. The next week, during the playoffs in Tampa Bay, my driver took me through town instead of the freeway. The streets were lined with posters: “To hell with Cosell. We’ve got Jayne!” I will never forget that. That’s my … Florida story.
Q: What immediately comes to mind when you reflect on being the first Black woman on “The NFL Today” desk?
A: I’m proud of that accomplishment. But it’s important to note that only two women have ever worked that desk, Phyllis George and me, and no others since the early 1980s. That speaks volumes. I constantly advocated for more women in those roles. When cable and other platforms emerged, opportunities expanded. I’m honored when women tell me they pursued sports journalism because of me. I’ve heard stories from families who made their kids watch me on TV as proof that anything was possible for them as well … Seeing how many Black women have succeeded since is worth every heartbreak. But we must keep telling these stories so new generations know the struggle. If they forget, progress can easily be erased.
Q: What do you feel about younger generations not knowing the struggles of the past?
A: That’s where we fail. Too many of our families, too many of our people don’t know the legacy, and when you forget, you get washed away again. It’s so easy in this country to erase us. I ran into a major African American sports journalist recently, and when she heard my story, she said, “I had no idea.” That shocked me. Because if she doesn’t know, how many others don’t? I grew up in the 1960s. I remember the presidential assassinations, Dr. King being assassinated, the Civil Rights movement, Watts, protests, draft card burnings and bra burnings. That’s part of me. And we cannot allow generations to grow up not knowing any of this happened. Today, when I hear the man in the White House saying, “The Smithsonian is too woke,” I say, “Give me a break.” I will not let that happen. We must stand strong for each other and never, ever let anyone forget the struggles we’ve lived and witnessed.
Q: Is it accurate to say that you put your career on the back burner while raising your family?
A: I did put my career and myself on the back burner. At times, I wonder if it was a mistake. But then I see my daughters, how beautiful and amazing they are, and I know it was the right choice. When I was working full time, I was on the road for 325 days a year. That wasn’t a way to raise a family. By stepping aside, I built an unbreakable bond with my daughters. We share everything, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Q: Any upcoming projects to share?
A: Yes. I’m launching fragrances, Jayne Kennedy Sun and Jayne Kennedy Moon. These embody who I am. The scents include elements tied to my personal history, such as tobacco leaves, which remind me of my mother’s years working on her family’s tobacco farm, and frankincense and myrrh, which reflect my connection to Africa. Additionally, African opals, my birthstone, are featured. The formula even contains 24-karat gold flakes. I wanted something meaningful, not just flowery or fruity. … This is a “legacy” building. I may not be able to do the “Love Your Body” fitness videos anymore, but this brand reflects who I am today.
For more information on Jayne Kennedy, go to jaynekennedy.com.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “An Evening with Jayne Kennedy,” including a meet-and-greet session, conversation and book signing
WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
WHERE: African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
COST: The event is free to attend. However, no outside books are allowed, so tickets are $33.85 if you want a book signed and $44.52 for the book plus meet-and-greet.
INFORMATION: eventbrite.com
