Greg Gumbel, a prominent sportscaster with CBS and a pioneer in the field, has passed away at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer, as confirmed by his family through a statement issued by the network on Friday.
“He leaves behind a legacy filled with love, inspiration, and a commitment that spans over five decades in the sports broadcasting arena; his distinctive voice will remain in our memories forever,” shared his wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel.
Earlier this year, Gumbel missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997, citing family health concerns at that moment.
Having been the studio host for CBS since his return from NBC in 1998, Gumbel had recently extended his contract, which enabled him to continue overseeing college basketball coverage while transitioning away from NFL duties.
In a historic achievement, Gumbel became the first Black announcer in the United States to serve as a play-by-play commentator for a major sports championship when he called Super Bowl 35 for CBS in 2001.
David Berson, CBS Sports’ president and CEO, highlighted Gumbel’s role as a barrier-breaker who set new standards in sports broadcasting, especially during notable sports events such as the NFL and NCAA tournaments.
“Greg was not only an exceptional broadcaster but also a remarkable storyteller, leading one of the most significant broadcasting careers in sports history,” stated Berson.
Gumbel had two tenures at CBS, the first of which ended when the network lost its football broadcasting rights in 1994, but he returned when CBS regained those rights in 1998.
Sean McManus expressed pride in his decision to rehire Gumbel during his nearly 27 years leading CBS Sports. He noted that Gumbel elevated their NFL and NCAA programming and was known for his kindness, generosity, humor, and the ability to make everyone feel valued in a workplace setting.
“His dedication to family formed the cornerstone of his life and his passing leaves a significant void in the industry and our personal lives,” McManus remarked.
Gumbel hosted CBS’s broadcasts of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and also called Major League Baseball games during its four years of coverage. Besides, he hosted figure skating championships in 1995 and NBC’s daytime Olympics coverage in 1996.
However, he was most renowned for his contributions to football and basketball. Gumbel was a host on CBS’s “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again from 2004 to 2005.
This year, Gumbel reflected on his early career when he succeeded Brent Musburger as host of “The NFL Today,” expressing the honor and pressure he felt at that moment.
Gumbel’s tenure as the network’s primary play-by-play announcer for NFL games spanned from 1998 to 2003 and included coverage of Super Bowls 35 and 38. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, covering games until he concluded his role after the 2022 season.
Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports analyst for college basketball, shared his sadness at Gumbel’s passing, expressing gratitude for the time they spent together and recognizing Gumbel’s positive influence.
Greg Gumbel was the elder brother of Bryant Gumbel, who hosts NBC’s “Today” show and “Real Sports.” Bryant received a lifetime achievement award at the Sports Emmys in 2003.
Growing up in Chicago, Greg Gumbel graduated in 1967 from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with an English degree. Originally aspiring to be a teacher, he entered sportscasting after his brother became involved in the field. He began his career auditioning at WMAQ-TV in Chicago in 1973, soon becoming a weekend sports anchor.
Reflecting on his early days, he noted that he felt unpolished but managed to find his footing within a year.
In addition to his work with CBS, Gumbel also contributed to ESPN and the Madison Square Garden network.
James Brown, who currently leads “The NFL Today,” remembered Gumbel fondly as a versatile and charismatic individual, remarking on the pleasure of counting him as a friend.
Throughout his distinguished career, Gumbel received several local Emmy Awards and was honored with the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for his excellence in sports broadcasting.
Apart from his professional achievements, he was dedicated to charitable efforts, serving with the March of Dimes for 30 years and as a member of the Sports Council for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years.
