by James Brown
Kris commented that they—himself, Don, and Nathan—made up the “lamest posse” ever accompanying a celebrity. I responded that I was quite all right with that. It felt like the four of us had known each other for years. As we headed back, the rain started falling heavier than before, and frogs—big, giant frogs—began jumping across the parkway, presumably from the Potomac River some forty yards away.
“Frogs are bad enough, but if locusts come next, I’m outta here,” said Don. We all cracked up, and thankfully, there were no more plagues that visited us that night.
After they dropped me off, Nathan tells me that they took him aside. “Is he always like that?” Nathan wasn’t sure what they meant.
“He spent more time talking with the woman running the elevator at the stadium than he did with Chief Justice Roberts or Michael Milken.” That was true. It was a pleasure meeting those gentlemen, but the box was crowded and others wanted to make their acquaintance (like Nathan, who looked as though he might have forgotten his name when he was introduced to the Chief Justice of the United States), so I took the opportunity to meet some other people there as well.
Then, as we were leaving, I asked the woman running the elevator her name and where she was from. As it would happen, Joyce had grown up in DC and attended Anacostia High School. I knew that school well. We had spoken for a while, and then on the way out—as it had been on the way in—there were a number of people that we passed that I needed to stop and speak with. New friends.
“He’s always like that,” Nathan told them. He told them about our trip to New York in which I knew each of the hotel staff by name—the bellhops, the front desk clerks, the housekeepers. It still seems natural to me. Why shouldn’t we get to know each other and learn about each other’s families?
Frankly, I’m not sure I see the big deal. I only share that about my mind-set so that—in case you don’t realize it already—you might realize that there is a whole world out there that would love to meet you and interact with you. People with the same needs, fears and joys, who just may have gone to high school down the street from you.
As for me, there’s no question that I’ll keep meeting those people. It’s how I was raised, to understand that people are fascinating and special. And, it’s part of the role that is mine to play—to learn about people and hopefully encourage them and lift them up a little bit higher, to shine a spotlight on them, and how special they are, for all the world to see.
It’s how I saw my mom and dad treat people. It’s how in the last few years of my mom’s life, when she was housebound and spent most of her time in bed, she conducted or performed her ministry of helping people. When she was the one battling the ravages of diabetes, she was encouraging others, strengthening them. When in the hospital the final five months of her life, hospital workers and the like found themselves coming by her room to meet this woman who met every medical challenge with a peace and confidence that only God gave her. She didn’t focus on her issues, but lifted others up, standing firmly on His Word every day. She had me read Bible verses to her every day I visited her in the hospital. They strengthened her. So, it’s not difficult or a problem for me to encourage others, to get to know them, because it’s a role that we all can play, for a lifetime.
Mom’s Notable Quotes
Wisdom and Encouragement:
“If God says so, no man can say no.”
God will make room for your talent.”
“God will redeem the time.”
“Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.”
“I don’t trust man for anything, but God for everything.”
“God will make a more excellent way.”
Every Sunday after church:
“Go wash your hands, before you come in the kitchen.”
My father and I after a radio interview with Voice of America, I did as a high school senior. Boy, those pants were made to order, huh?
Mom receiving an achievement award as a department manager for a leading local store.
High school graduate photo. DeMatha Catholic H.S. in Hyattsville, MD. Class Vice-President, 1969.
College graduation photo. Harvard University, 1973. Seated next to me is my sister Alicia, and mom is next to her. The Walt “Clyde” Frazier influence is evident with the facial hair. Oh Boy!
Harvard Basketball photo, early ’70s.
On a cruise with my daughter… don’t run away dear, daddy knows how to do hair!
Left to right: Me, Dorothy, and Pastor Givens.
Fun night out. Los Angeles, CA. Left to right: Fred Johnson, Demetria Johnson, Dorothy, and myself.
My wife and I. Is that smile a thing of beauty, or what?
A very happy milestone for the Brown Family. Katrina’s wedding day. Left to right: Father of the bride, stepmom Dorothy Brown, mother Alfreda Holmes, Katrina and John Walker.
Dancing with my baby.
Christmas photo of my son-in-law John, my daughter Katrina, and my grand daughter Kaela… they went to purchase shoes right after this photo was taken!
Yours truly hugging my wife Dorothy. Seated are my great aunt Ozie Powell and her daughter Carolyn at their home in Hattiesburg, MS. Aunt Ozie is one of the most saintly Christians I’ve ever met.
It was always a special occasion when we had my mom over to our house… and my in-laws wanted to be there to enjoy her company. Left to right: My wife Dorothy, me, mom, and my father and mother-in-law; Leroy and Auguste Johnson.
The five siblings standing in front of my home where we celebrated Mom’s 70th birthday. It was a grand time, and an emotional one. Left to right: me, my brother Everett, sister Alicia, brother John and brother Terence. Background: my brother-in-law Fred Johnson.
My mother, Mary Ann, giving me instructions at her birthday celebration. I affectionately referred to her as the “Sergeant.” There was no debating her orders! And I’m a better man for that.
Pre-show photo with Tonight Show host Jay Leno, flanked by my wife Dorothy (left) and daughter Katrina (right).
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, as an assignment for CBS Sports. You can tell I’m thrilled with the couple days worth of climbing we’ve already endured. The mountain’s height is 19,340 feet.
A slimmer me working at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Three Norwegians who could’ve played on ANY NFL offensive line!
My high school coach Morgan Wootten, and I co-hosting popular high school basketball program on local TV station.
The legendary Arnold “Red” Auerbach and the ever-present victory cigar.
A cherished photo with one of the legends in sports broadcasting history, Jim McKay at his ranch in Maryland. Radio producer Bruce Cornblatt on the right.
I mentioned to the valet at the hotel I was there to interview Kobe Bryant and the attendant wanted to park my car in the lobby!
Post-radio interview photo with the man who was the inspiration behind my desire to attend an Ivy League school. Former Princeton and New York Knicks great, ex-Senator and presidential candidate, Bill Bradley.
The NFL’s greatest wide receiver, Jerry Rice of the San Francisco Forty-Niners. He made sure to protect his hands with gloves, even when just shaking hands!
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb and I after a pre-game show interview.
A hug from my daughter Katrina always brings out the biggest, radiant smile for me.
Credit: Anita Bartlett
Larry Fitzgerald, premier wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals, and I share a good laugh at the NFL PLAYERS Gala upon his receipt of the 2009 JB Award for Impact. Credit: Donald Miralle for NFL PLAYERS
Former Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre, Terry Bradshaw, and I.
The FOX NFL SUNDAY crew. Left to right: Jimmy Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, me, and Howie Long.
Bill Cowher, me, Cris Collinsworth, and Phil Simms during one of many light moments on the set of the Emmy Award winning INSIDE THE NFL on Showtime.
The CBS crew of THE NFL TODAY. From Left to
right: Shannon Sharpe, Dan Marino, me, Bill Cowher, and Boomer Esiason.
NOTES
Chapter 6: The Foundation Determines the Height
1. But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:15b–16 NKJV).
2. Other translations use different terminology, but I believe the point is the same. The New International Version refers to being “prosperous and successful,” while the New Living Translation says that “you will prosper and succeed.” Both contemplate something additional to “success.”
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
JAMES BROWN, a native Washingtonian, graduated with a degree in American government from Harvard in 1973 where he was a three-time All Ivy League basketball player. JB is a three-time Emmy winner as Outstanding Studio Host. He is currently the host of CBS Sports’ The NFL Today and Showtime’s Inside the NFL and formerly the co-host of FOX NFL Sunday. He is co-founder of Brown Technology Group, founding partner of the Washington Nationals, and an ordained minister. He and his wife Dorothy reside in suburban Washington, DC. His daughter Katrina is married to John Walker and they have a daughter, Kaela.
Nathan Whitaker is the co-author of three New York Times bestsellers, including Quiet Strength, which reached number one and is one of the bestselling sports-related titles in history. A two-sport athlete at Duke University, Nathan also holds post-graduate degrees from Harvard Law School and the University of Florida. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Florida.