Role of a Lifetime

by James Brown

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2009 by James Brown

  Foreword copyright © 2009 by Tony Dungy

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S.

  Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  FaithWords

  Hachette Book Group

  237 Park Avenue

  New York, NY 10017

  Visit our website at www.HachetteBookGroup.com

  www.twitter.com/faithwords

  First eBook Edition: September 2009

  FaithWords is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  The FaithWords name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  ISBN: 978-0-446-55804-4

  Contents

  COPYRIGHT

  FOREWORD

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  INTRODUCTION

  CHAPTER 1: ONE SAVANNAH SUMMER

  CHAPTER 2: ROOTS AND SACRED TRUSTS

  CHAPTER 3: HALL OF FAME INFLUENCE

  CHAPTER 4: A HANDSHAKE AND HARVARD

  CHAPTER 5: REBOUND

  CHAPTER 6: THE FOUNDATION DETERMINES THE HEIGHT

  CHAPTER 7: JOINING THE NETWORK

  CHAPTER 8: LESSONS FROM ALBERTVILLE

  CHAPTER 9: MY DOROTHY

  CHAPTER 10: THE RIGHT WAY…

  CHAPTER 11: … AT THE RIGHT TIME

  CHAPTER 12: GOD ALWAYS WINS

  EPILOGUE

  ILLUSTRATIONS

  NOTES

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  This book is dedicated to my parents, John and Mary Ann Brown. I thank GOD for the lifetime roles they performed in raising their children.

  They were steadfast in their commitment to family, tireless in their efforts to provide a better life, passionate in instilling in us a spirit of excellence, and modeled an unwavering belief that doing things GOD’s way is ALWAYS the right way. I’m extremely grateful.

  FOREWORD

  James Brown is an uncommon personality in sports broadcasting today. He has become one of the most recognizable faces, and voices, in the industry. He not only hosts CBS’s National Football League pre-game show but has appeared on national television broadcasts of college and professional sports, as well as the Olympics. His voice is heard on daily and weekly radio broadcasts. While he is now recognized as one of the best in his field, the journey hasn’t always been smooth. In Role of a Lifetime James not only shares the details of this journey, but also the life lessons that were learned from some great mentors he’s had along the way.

  I first met the man everyone calls “JB” in the late 1980s (JB may remember the exact year) when I was an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers and he was doing play-by-play for CBS. He would always come in early and ask questions about our players to prepare for the broadcasts. What I noticed right away was that he not only wanted to know their assignments on the field, so he could report accurately on the game, but he also wanted to know about them as men. He always wanted to highlight what they were doing off the field that the viewers may not know about. As I got to know him better, I learned that this is what James Brown is all about—not football or basketball, but about people and relationships.

  That’s what makes James so unique in his business. To get to the top in broadcasting you usually have to put the spotlight on yourself and demonstrate how good you are and how much you know. But James has taken a different approach, taking the advice of his high school coach and choosing to be a “role player”—a player who does the little things to help his teammates to look better. By using this game plan and by following Christ’s model of servant leadership he has become not only one of the best, but also one of the most respected and well-liked broadcasters of our time.

  In this book you’ll see how that life philosophy was developed, starting with the work ethic that was instilled in him by his parents while growing up in Washington, DC. You will see a commitment to preparation and teamwork that grew through basketball at DeMatha High School and Harvard University, and was later fine-tuned by a stint in the business world. You’ll see a professional career of ground-breaking achievements mixed with setbacks and disappointments. And ultimately, you’ll discover what has allowed him to gracefully handle everything that has come his way—his faith in Jesus Christ.

  That faith is what makes James Brown special. Not only did his faith allow him to move forward in those tough times, it’s what has allowed him to remain humble in a business characterized by huge egos. It’s what has motivated him to utilize the platform and visibility of national television, not for personal gain, but to help others. It’s that faith in God that guides him daily and shapes every decision he makes.

  James Brown has been a great friend and role model for me and so many others in the sports world over the years. Now, by writing this book, I believe he will inspire even more people who get to know the story behind this uncommon man.

  —Tony Dungy

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I did my best to think of the most effective, inclusive way of thanking all of the people who have been so helpful to me. It proved to be THE most difficult task. Even if I were to have devoted a chapter in the book for acknowledgments, I would think of someone, after the fact, whose name I forgot. That would hurt me more than the person not mentioned. So, please forgive me for not taking the risk.

  Therefore, for each and every person who has played a meaningful role in shaping the person I am today—and you know who you are—I am DEEPLY grateful.

  I think everyone would understand my singling out my family. My wife Dorothy, who means as much to me as the air I breathe, is a blessing beyond measure, and the catalyst for my spiritual growth. My brothers, John, Terence and Everett and my Uncle Cliff who not only have been ardent supporters, but friends who provide me with candid, helpful feedback. My sister, Alicia is not only the smartest one in the family, but the one to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. She shared a home with mom and was her principal caretaker thru Mom’s long battle with health challenges, all the while managing responsibilities as a big company vice president. There’s nothing like the love of a daughter, and Katrina is my pride and joy. She and my son-in-law John, have given me another reason to continue working hard and set the right example in my granddaughter, Kaela.

  My two adopted family members include my high school coach, confident and trusted family friend Morgan Wootten; and the person who not only convinced me, but got me excited about writing this book, my attorney Jeff Fried.

  I especially want to thank my friends at FaithWords who were as patient as anyone could expect, given the demands on my time during the NFL season, especially Rolf Zettersten, Harry Helm, and Gina Wynn. I’m sure working with me has given them a new appreciation for the words, long-suffering.

  I’d like to thank my colleagues at CBS, both my studio co-hosts and particularly all of those great people behind-the-scenes. You never get to see them but without them, the shot itself would not be as good as it is. They are family and I love them.

  Thanks to my Literary Agent Jake Elwell who helped me to find the right home for this book. And to my co-author Nathan Whitaker. He’s a bright, quick-witted, humble man with whom I’ve become good friends. My assistant Elizabeth Malia continues to amaze me with the many hats she wears so well.

  To Tony Dungy, who encouraged me to be as open and as bold as possible in writing this book. That performing my role in this lifetime will continue to be a success by esteeming others above myself.

  Finally, but most importantly, to My LORD and SAVIOR,
JESUS CHRIST. To GOD be the glory. In all that I do, I seek to do excellently unto HIM.

  INTRODUCTION

  But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

  and his righteousness; and all these

  things shall be added unto you.

  Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

  We may not have met yet, but I suspect that we have a lot in common, you and I.

  For whatever reason that brought you to pick up this book, I am grateful that you did, and for the time and attention you will give to the pages that follow. In some ways, I’m not sure my story is any different from that of the typical twenty-first century American out there—a tale of searching through life to find who I was, who I was created to be, and what I was meant to do. It is a journey of perseverance to overcome obstacles and make it to the end of valleys that far too often we find in front of us.

  I suspect your journey has been a lot like mine.

  At the same time, I do recognize that I also have lived a real-life fairy tale of finding myself in the loving embrace of a woman, a family, and a Savior who loves me for who I am, flaws and all. I have been blessed beyond measure with experiences and opportunities that are far beyond what I had envisioned or have merited, and I have tried to stop long enough to savor those at every twist and turn along the way.

  And so, when I was told over the years that I had something to write about by a variety of people, I initially reacted with hesitation. I dismissed out of hand their contention that I really had anything to offer that was either unique or of interest, and pushed the thought aside, to the deeper recesses of my mind. As you can see, I apparently didn’t completely cast it aside, because their encouraging words began to slowly come back into my conscious thoughts.

  In the meantime, though, my good friend Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy came out with his memoir, and a radio personality and I were talking about the book. It seems that this radio personality, who has a wildly popular talk show because of his antagonistic, “shock-jock” type format, had read Tony’s book and was so moved by it that he began reconsidering his life’s work. “JB, I realized after reading that book that I don’t want to look back and think that this is what I did with the talents I’ve got—to inflame and upset people. That can’t be my legacy.”

  That conversation led me to talk with Tony about the encouragement I had received to write about my journey, and realized, like Coach Dungy’s motivation to finally share his life’s story in Quiet Strength, that if there was even one person who drew something out of my book that positively impacted them and how they navigated the journey of their own life, that would make it worth the effort. Conversations with my friend and attorney Jeff Fried brought to the fore-front many of the pearls of wisdom, heart-to-heart discussions, and flat-out orders from my mother—which ultimately laid the foundation upon which I’ve lived. Her example was the best. Realizing that, I wanted to honor my mother’s and my father’s legacies. My dad was more like the biblical character Joseph: the strong, supportive, caring, silent type who ably provided for us. Two devoted, sacrificing parents with only high school educations, but PhD’s in common sense and love.

  And so, with that perspective, I reflected further on the incredible experiences I have enjoyed, the disappointments I have endured, those saints along the way who built themselves into my life, and upon the faith that has carried me through it all.

  There are things that I have learned, there are giants in my life that have lifted me up that I might see and go farther, and there are stories that might lighten your day. Yes, there are things that I can share. Things that may help you and others. Things that may give you strength for your journey. Things that just may bring a different perspective to whatever you may be facing. But recognize that I do so with gratitude toward you in deciding to come along with me on my journey. I haven’t always gotten it right, but if sharing from some of the times when I’ve gotten it wrong will help you, I will be humbled by that experience.

  Role of a Lifetime is premised on the belief that finding and playing the role we were meant to play should be our goal. It’s a place where we find not only success, but real significance in each day. On that journey, allowing others to shine, and helping them to do so in their roles, can be the best way to live out this life we’ve been given and to maximize its impact and find fulfillment along the way.

  This book is designed to be more than simply a memoir. While the stories of my life may provide moments of enjoyment, I hope that even more they will illuminate the life lessons learned along my journey—the satisfaction I have enjoyed by focusing on and embracing my own gifts and abilities, and striving to make the most of the roles that have come my way that I have chosen to play.

  All generations are searching for answers and looking for them in the lives of high-profile examples—whom society lifts as role models—who too often live by relative values and are themselves looking for guidance. You and I live in a world that all too often operates under the overriding template of self-promotion, embracing a “Hooray for Me” attitude, and which measures success in increasingly small time snapshots dotted with markers of temporal value. From a lifetime of experiences—both good and not so good—I have learned that a life of real significance will not be found by following that path.

  In addition, society preaches that if you follow the latest formula for success, you can be the best. The reality, however, is that not all of us will end up on the top rung of the ladder—wherever that is. And even if we do, we will feel unfulfilled when we get there (maybe even along the way), ultimately realizing that is not where we were meant to be.

  Instead, my goal has been to do the right thing the right way, all of the time, and through that to make the most of my role—whatever it may be. We may not all be called to be the leader in the journey—instead, many of us are called to play a different role. And if we pause to consider it, we realize we all have roles that are unique to us and shaped by our gifts and abilities. All sorts of meaningful life-changing roles. Son. Daughter. Wife. Husband. Father. Mother. Friend. Co-worker. Coach. Employer. Teacher. Roles that make the world a better place and that impact lives for good.

  I wasn’t born with all the answers—far from it—but have learned through the journey of my life, from the influential people who guided me, and from the events, both personal and societal, which challenged, scarred, at times, and shaped me, that life is about the longer view. I still don’t have all the answers, but have learned that success in life—overcoming the difficulties and detours—is really about the deeper meaning in everything you do, the significant difference you make while striving to honor God and leaving a legacy of changed lives. In that, I have found the blessings of a life of satisfaction, impact, joy, and fulfillment.

  My hope and prayer is that this book will help you to see a bit of what I have seen through my journey, that it will bless you in some way, and that you will find something to take from it—some encouragement, some measure of wisdom, or a dose of inspiration, for successful and more significant living. Maybe you will take away something as simple as this thought, which will surely overcome you at times as you read: “I’ll never make the mistake JB made in that situation!” Maybe you will begin to see that who you have been created to be is something of incredible and of eternal value, and the roles that you occupy in life, no one else can occupy.

  This book is experiential in nature, in that I’m not much of a historian. I don’t always remember dates or the exact sequence of events, but I am not afraid to show emotion—yes, even shed a tear or two—and can remember exactly how I felt when something meaningful occurred. The book, therefore, will wend its way from meaningful event to meaningful event—as I saw them—as I recollect my story.

  And so, this is simply my story, humbly offered: those things that have worked—and all those that haven’t!—for me so far, and the people that have helped get me here, and the experiences that have shaped me in the journey. Along the way, there will be some laughs, many laug
hs, since I have had the privilege of working with some crazy people, whom I love dearly.

  Through it all, my journey is now inseparably entwined with my Savior who has been with me throughout—even at times when I wasn’t sure—and continues to this day to walk beside me and provide me with strength, courage, and wisdom far beyond my own capabilities. He has always smiled down upon me—even when I may not have deserved it—as I did my best to find and fill the roles He put before me.

  I suspect, as you come along beside me, we may find that we have a lot in common, you and I.

  CHAPTER 1

  ONE SAVANNAH SUMMER

  You’re either progressing as a player or regressing.

  Morgan Wootten

  This was not how it was supposed to be. The noise from the landing gear grinding into place pierced the fog of my thoughts. The blanket of clouds outside the window of our plane stretched as far as I could see and was thick, hiding my next stop. In a few minutes we would break through them and touch down—then what?

  How would I explain it to my family, and all my friends? What would I say to all those people who watched, supported, and cheered me on for so long? What would I say to all the kids in the neighborhood who had looked up to me for all those years? How could I look at myself in the mirror?

  My teammates. Coach Harrison. The Washingtons, Smiths, Kellys, Winslows, and others in the neighborhood. My girlfriend.

  And Coach Wootten. What would he say? Every step and stop along the way of my basketball career had been up. Oh, there had been some setbacks, some roadblocks, some learning moments—always the temporary hinderances of hard work, and always followed by more success. More wins. More people who noticed my athletic ability and progress. My potential to play on a bigger stage was becoming clear. Basketball would be my ticket to a successful, fulfilling, and meaningful life.