Greg Gumbel, the longtime sportscaster for CBS Sports, has passed away at the age of 78, according to a Facebook post by Emmy Award-winning producer Dan Forer. Gumbel, who was an award-winning broadcaster for more than 50 years through work with CBS Sports, NBC Sports, WFAN and a variety of other broadcasting entities, graduated from Loras College and performed various charitable endeavors.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” Marcy and Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. “He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity.
“He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten.
“Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him.”
Gumbel first joined CBS Sports in 1989 where he contributed to its coverage of the National Football League, including working as the host of The NFL Today. He took part in network coverage for the Super Bowl in 1992, 2013 and 2016, and he also worked as the prime time anchor for CBS Sports coverage of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. After spending parts of five years with NBC Sports, he re-joined CBS Sports in 1998 to work as a host and play-by-play announcer for the NFL on CBS and college basketball.
“The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television,” David Berson, president and chief executive officer of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague. A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time. He was a familiar and welcoming voice for fans across many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four.
“Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow. It is an extremely sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and the entire sports community. We will miss Greg dearly, and send our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, daughter Michelle, and his entire family.”
Gumbel signed an extension with CBS Sports in 2023 through which he continued working on college basketball and NCAA Tournament while stepping back from NFL play-by-play announcing. He was absent from coverage of March Madness due to “family health issues,” the network announced ahead of the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal. Adam Zucker hosted studio coverage with Clark Kellogg, Jay Wright and Seth Davis throughout the tournament.
“For close to 25 years, I enjoyed and was richly blessed by Greg’s friendship, goodness, humor, partnership, professionalism and wisdom. He was excellent in his work and exemplary in his caring and character,” Kellogg said in a statement. “Like all who knew and loved him, I too am saddened by his death, yet also so very grateful to have known him in my life. What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner. My deepest condolences to the entire Gumbel family.”
Gumbel is one of four broadcasters to host and call the Super Bowl, along with Dick Enberg, Al Michaels and Jim Nantz. Throughout his time in the NFL on CBS broadcast booth, he worked with several commentators including Phil Simms, Adam Archuleta and AJ Ross.
“Greg Gumbel was broadcasting royalty,” Nantz said in a statement. “He was as selfless a broadcaster as anyone in the industry has ever known. Our careers intersected for nearly 35 years, and he was the consummate teammate and friend. There’s not a member of the CBS Sports family who doesn’t have a sweet or kind memory of Greg. I have so much love and respect for him, and I’m going to miss him dearly.”
“Everyone in sports television is heartbroken,” Lesley Visser, reporter and contributor at CBS Sports, said in a statement. “Greg was foundational to CBS, the straight-man with the light touch. He loved all the men and women of CBS; we were blessed with his rare humanity.”
Gumbel was hired as the first morning show host on WFAN when the station launched in the sports talk format on July 1, 1989. Before joining CBS Sports, he performed hosting and play-by-play roles for the Madison Square Garden Network for New York Knicks and New York Yankees broadcasts. Gumbel was also an anchor for SportsCenter at ESPN over his nine years with the network beginning in 1979. One of his earliest roles in the business was working at WMAQ-TV as a weekend sports anchor. Gumbel is the older brother of Bryant Gumbel, who was the host of Real Sports and anchored the Today show for 15 years.
“Greg was a role model and a pioneer,” Harold Bryant, executive producer and executive vice president of production at CBS Sports, said in a statement. “He broke barriers being one of the few Black broadcasters covering sports at the highest levels. He set a high bar for others to follow. His work was beyond reproach as he became one of the most respected broadcasters in the industry. Whether it was play-by-play, studio host, or interviewing elite athletes, Greg was as smooth and trustworthy as could be. Greg loved his family, loved The Rolling Stones, and loved CBS. He treated everybody with respect and gratitude. Greg – you will be missed.”
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