Former Cardinals outfielder to keynote Semoball Awards this summer

Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger and two-sport athlete Brian Jordan has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2024 Semoball Awards on July 12 at LaCroix Church.

The announcement was made Thursday night by Southeast Missourian Assistant Publisher Lucas Presson and Mercy Southeast President Ryan Geib.

“We’re excited to welcome Brian Jordan as the keynote speaker this summer,” said Lucas Presson, assistant publisher and general manager of the Southeast Missourian. “Brian was a tremendous baseball and football player, and he has a great message. We believe people will enjoy hearing his life story and the lessons he’s learned along the way.”

Jordan was a professional athlete in both football and baseball. He played defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons from 1989-1991 before switching to MLB, debuting with the Cardinals in 1992.

After playing for the Cardinals, Jordan also played for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. He made the All-Star team and his only World Series appearance in 1999 with the Braves. He finished his 15-year career with a .282 batting average, 184 home runs, and 821 RBIs.

The Baltimore native has contributed more to Atlanta, St. Louis, and other cities than just home runs and tackles. Jordan is an Emmy award-winning sports analyst for FOX Sports South and a recurring broadcast personality for MLB Network and Sports South. He served as a TV pre-game analyst for the Atlanta Braves on Braves Live, the official pregame show on Fox Sports South. He has also been a game analyst for Georgia Public Broadcasting's Football Fridays in Georgia, covering high school games across the state.

Jordan is active in the community through the Brian Jordan Foundation and has authored several children's books, including the best-seller "I Told You I Can Play!" which reflects on his own childhood. He dedicates much of his time to working with school systems to help youth with literacy.

Previous Semoball Awards speakers have included two-time ESPY winner Kyle Maynard, softball great Jennie Finch, NFL player and TV analyst Mark Schlereth, World Series MVP David Eckstein, WNBA player Lisa Leslie, former pitcher and current broadcaster Rick Horton, former MLB relief pitcher Andrew Miller, comedian Mike Goodwin, and Kansas City Chiefs mascot Dan Meers.

The Semoball Awards features an unforgettable red-carpet experience, a first-class show with the presentation of 28 awards and the recognition of the Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

The red carpet experience, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and live radio show will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the awards show starting at 7 p.m.

The Semoball Awards are presented by Mercy and supported by official bank sponsor The Bank of Missouri and title sponsors SEMO ESPN Radio, the St. Louis Cardinals, rustmedia, and your local newspaper.

Tickets, including VIP options that feature a pre-event reception with the keynote speaker, are available at semoball.com/awards.