James Brown, host of “The NFL Today” on CBS and a five-time Emmy Award-winning network broadcaster, will be the guest of the 2025 Rockhurst University Leadership Series with presenting sponsor Tria Health, speaking on how to “Break the Huddle and Run the Play.” The 13th annual leadership series will begin with a VIP reception at 3:30 p.m., followed by the main program at 4:30 p.m. and a reception at 6 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, James Brown is one of the most recognizable faces and voices in television. He is a record-setting 11-time host for the Super Bowl and a contributor to programs such as 60 Minutes, CBS Mornings, CBS Evening News and 48 Hours.

In addition to his roles for CBS, Brown 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 was the first recipient of the coveted Pat Summerall Award, presented annually during Super Bowl weekend. In May 2024, Brown was presented with the Lifetime Achievement honor at the 45th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards.

Brown, a Washington, D.C. native, is a graduate of Harvard University, where he was a three-time 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, and is also an ordained minister and is actively involved in speaking at churches and conferences around the country.

The Rockhurst University Leadership Series brings 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 2024 Rashford-Lyon Award for Leadership and Ethics. 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.