Jayne Kennedy
Source: Getty
work it, girl
A former Miss Ohio, the 5-foot 10-inch model and former Cleveland-area cheerleader broke into the American consciousness, presenting another picture of the girl next door.
Kennedy had a lot of firsts: the first black woman to be on the cover of Playboy, to win Miss Ohio — and to be an NBC sportscaster (in fact, she was one of the first women to do so, period). She brought her pep and beauty pageant poise to the leading pregame warm-up, NFL Today, for two short years, 1978 and ’79. And she captured imaginations — especially those of young black male America – standing alongside TV legends Brent Musburger, Jimmy the Greek, Irv Cross and others. Kennedy’s self-assured style, quick wit and easy laugh made her an audience favorite. Not to mention her stunning looks, which almost won her the Miss USA crown in 1970.
