Greg Gumbel, a veteran CBS sportscaster renowned for breaking barriers and covering major sporting events, has died at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer, his family announced on Friday.
Gumbel's wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel, expressed their grief in a statement, highlighting his legacy of love, inspiration, and dedication to over 50 years in sports broadcasting. They described his voice as unforgettable.
In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to family health concerns. He had been a studio host for CBS since rejoining the network in 1998, having previously worked at NBC. Last year, Gumbel extended his CBS contract, continuing to host college basketball while stepping back from NFL duties.
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In 2001, Gumbel made history as the first Black announcer to call play-by-play for a major U.S. sports championship during Super Bowl 35. CBS Sports President and CEO David Berson praised Gumbel as a groundbreaking broadcaster and talented storyteller whose career set high standards.
Gumbel's career included two stints at CBS, initially leaving for NBC in 1994 before returning in 1998 when CBS regained football broadcasting rights. Sean McManus, former CBS Sports chairman, said Gumbel elevated NFL and NCAA coverage while showing kindness, humor, and generosity to colleagues.
Gumbel also hosted CBS' coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics, Major League Baseball, and figure skating championships. At NBC, he hosted the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics daytime coverage. However, football and basketball remained his primary focus, including hosting CBS' "The NFL Today" from 1990-1993 and 2004-05.
He succeeded Brent Musburger as host of "The NFL Today" in 1990, calling the experience an honor and a daunting task. Gumbel later served as CBS' lead play-by-play announcer for the NFL from 1998 to 2003, covering Super Bowls 35 and 38, before stepping away from the booth after the 2022 season.
Colleagues like Clark Kellogg remembered Gumbel as a kind and talented partner, while James Brown, host of "The NFL Today," described him as versatile and charismatic.
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Born in Chicago, Gumbel earned an English degree from Loras College in 1967. Initially aspiring to be an English teacher, he entered sportscasting in 1973 at WMAQ-TV in Chicago, following his brother Bryant Gumbel's career path.
Greg Gumbel also worked with ESPN and Madison Square Garden network, earning local Emmy Awards and the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. Beyond his career, he supported charities like March of Dimes and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
His passing leaves the sports broadcasting industry mourning the loss of a pioneer whose influence and legacy will endure.