Popular broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer
Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster who broke barriers while calling some of the biggest games, has died of cancer, according to a family statement released by the network on Friday.
“He leaves a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to more than 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcasting industry; and his incredible voice will never be forgotten,” his wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel, said in a statement.
In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues.
Gumbel has been CBS studio manager since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing jobs.
In 2001, he announced Super Bowl 35 for CBS, becoming the first black announcer in the US to call a game in a major sports championship.
David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as someone who broke boundaries and set standards for others during his years as the voice of fans in sports, including the NFL and March Madness.
“An amazing broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most iconic and historic sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson.
Management of the 1992, 1994 Winter Olympics
Gumbel had two tenures at CBS, leaving the network for NBC during the 1994 bankruptcy and returning when he received a contract in 1998.
He anchored CBS' coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year stint broadcasting the national game. In 1995, he hosted the world figure skating championships and the following year hosted NBC's daytime coverage of the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Greg Gumbel, one of the leading sports figures of his time.
Although he is known for his many years covering football, basketball, and the Olympic Games, Gumbel has served as host and emcee for major baseball events in… pic.twitter.com/CwYBLncOok
–@MLB
But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS' NFL studio show NFL Today from 1990 to 1993, and again in 2004-05.
Earlier this year, Gumbel recalled bringing in Brent Musburger as host NFL Today in 1990, describing it as scary and terrifying.
“For me to sit in the same seat and do the same or try to do something that he does is an incredible honor,” he said.
Gumbel also called NFL games as the network's lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl 35 and 38. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.
“As are all who knew and loved him. I am saddened by his passing, however I am also very grateful to have known him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, CBS Sports college basketball and studio analyst, said in a statement. “What a gift to be touched by such a beautiful man and partner.”
I am saddened to hear of the passing of longtime broadcaster and dear friend Greg Gumbel. Greg was an African-American pioneer. He has spent more than 50 years in sports broadcasting – as one of the original studio executives and on-site broadcasts of the NFL, March Madness, and…
Gumbel was the older brother of Bryant Gumbel, the host of NBC Today show again Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO. Bryant Gumbel received a lifetime achievement award at the Sports Emmys in 2003.
Greg Gumbel grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a degree in English. He planned to become an English teacher but landed an interview at WMAQ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Chicago, in 1973 after his brother got into sports, according to the letter. Watch Live!: How Today's NFL Changed Sports Broadcasting. He was soon offered the position of weekend sportscaster.
“I was surprised that I got the job. I was definitely not a polished person,” he said in the letter. “In my opinion, it took me a good year to start feeling comfortable in front of the camera.”
Gumbel also worked for ESPN and the Madison Square Garden network.
James Brown, the current incumbent NFL Todaydescribed Gumbel on Friday as, “Mr. Versatility and very telegenic.”
“It was a pleasure for me to call him a friend and he can do whatever he is given after the assignment,” he added.
Gumbel won local Emmy awards during his long run and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for Sports Broadcasting Excellence.
In addition to his work as a sports broadcaster, he has been involved with the March of Dimes for thirty years, including as a member of its board of trustees. He was also a member of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Sports Council for 16 years.
