Jayne Kennedy Inspiring: 5 Unstoppable Ways She Broke Barriers

The groundbreaking TV icon and former NE Ohio native releases her powerful memoir, “Plain Jayne,” detailing her journey from Wickliffe to sports broadcasting fame.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – In the landscape of 1970s television, few figures shone as brightly or broke as much ground as Jayne Kennedy. At a time when the NFL studio show was a male-dominated arena, Kennedy emerged as a pioneering force on CBS’s “The NFL Today,” becoming one of the first African-American women to hold a prominent national sports broadcasting role. Now, at 73, she tells her full story in the newly released memoir, “Plain Jayne.”

From Humble Ohio Roots to National Stardom

Despite a glamorous career, Kennedy’s heart has always remained tied to her roots in Wickliffe, Ohio. The title of her book, “Plain Jayne,” is a direct nod to the humble, family-oriented values instilled in her during her formative years.

“Some people say, ‘Why do you spend so much time on that part of your life in this book, why don’t you tell all Hollywood?’” Kennedy told cleveland.com. “But I had to tell that because this is who I am… My core is the way I grew up, the way my family raised me.”

This grounded perspective became her guiding principle, a promise she made to herself: “I would never become anyone but Jayne from Wickliffe, Ohio.”

The Grit Behind the Glamour: Landing the NFL Today Job

Kennedy’s path to “The NFL Today” was anything but easy. When she heard about the opening, she was immediately told, “They’re not looking for anyone like you”—a coded rejection meaning they wanted a white journalist. Refusing to accept no for an answer, Kennedy leveraged her determination and connections, including a pivotal assist from NFL legend Jim Brown.

She walked into an audition as one of 16 finalists—the only Black woman in a room of blonde applicants. Instead of succumbing to pressure, she leaned into her authentic self, even playing a game of backgammon with her interview subject to ease the tension. Her strategy worked. Brent Musburger, the show’s anchor, gave her his ultimate endorsement: “It’s Jayne or nobody.”

A Career Forged in Tenacity and Resourcefulness

Her initial contract was for a mere six weeks. To prove her worth, she pulled off a major coup by securing a coveted interview with Muhammad Ali before his historic rematch with Leon Spinks, a feat the CBS staff thought impossible. “Next day,” she said, “I had my contract.”

Her ingenuity didn’t stop there. When the network wouldn’t pay for her on-air wardrobe, she brokered a deal to get outfits from a Black-owned Manhattan boutique, Zagobi, in exchange for an on-air credit, providing them with millions of dollars worth of exposure.

The Legacy of a Renaissance Woman

Kennedy’s career is a tapestry of diverse achievements: actress, model, Miss Ohio 1970, fitness entrepreneur with her “Love Your Body” videos, and now a jeweler and fragrance creator. Her new company is aptly named “Not Done Yet.”

Through it all, her mission has been clear: to open doors. “I’d like for people to know that I opened doors for many to follow in,” she said. “I can see the actual doors that I did open.”

“Plain Jayne” is more than a memoir; it’s a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and the unwavering belief that you cannot let anyone tell you no.