Jayne Kennedy: From Trailblazing Sportscaster To Memoir Maven

Jayne Kennedy's Remarkable Journey

Jayne Kennedy, who first wowed the world as Miss Ohio back in 1970 and later broke barriers as a Black female sportscaster, is telling her story in "Plain Jayne." As one of the first women to claim a spot on CBS’s “The NFL Today,” she paved the way for many who followed. In a recent chat with CNN, Kennedy credits Oprah Winfrey for nudging her toward sharing her narrative, a journey that began in 2010.

“She inspired me to go forward and I’m glad she did because it allowed me to actually delve into who am I,” Kennedy shared. “Who am I at my authentic core?”

Scandal and Survival

However, Kennedy's journey wasn't without its hiccups. The early '90s saw her grappling with a scandal following the leak of a private tape with her then-husband, Leon Isaac Kennedy. This incident predated the more publicized celebrity scandals of recent years, and it took its toll on her personal and professional life. But in her memoir, Kennedy tackles this episode head-on, choosing to embrace her past rather than shy away from it.

“It was extremely difficult and I wanted that to be the last thing that I wrote,” she candidly mentions, addressing the challenges of revisiting such painful memories. Her intention? To ensure her truth remains undisputed.

Family and Legacy

Outside of her career, Kennedy cherishes her role as a mother and grandmother. With her husband, Bill Overton, she has raised four daughters, instilling in them the values of resilience and transparency. Despite being out of the limelight for a while, Kennedy remains dedicated to authenticity and connection, both with her family and her readers.

“I’ve been very transparent with my daughters, all four of them,” Kennedy points out. “We have a tremendous relationship. We talk all the time.” Her memoir aims to inspire and remind readers of the power of truth and perseverance.

With "Plain Jayne" hitting the shelves, Kennedy hopes her story becomes a beacon of strength and empowerment for women everywhere. As she passionately puts it, “It’s not just about reaching back and trying to heal. We have women that are suffering today and so if I can help, even in some small part, I want to.”

"Plain Jayne" is available now – a must-read for anyone looking to be inspired by a true trailblazer.