Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster who broke barriers in his career announcing some of the biggest sports events, has died of cancer, according to a family statement released by the network on Friday.
“He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication for over 50 incredible years in the sports broadcasting industry; and his iconic 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 a studio host for CBS 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 retiring from NFL announcing duties.
In 2001, he announced Super Bowl 35 for CBS, the first Black announcer in the US to call play-by-play of a major sports championship.
David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as someone who broke barriers and set standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including the NFL and March Madness.
“An exceptional broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg presided over one of the most remarkable and innovative sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson.
He hosted the Winter Olympics broadcast in 1992, 1994
Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when he lost football in 1994 and returning when he got the contract back in 1998.
He hosted the CBS broadcast of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during his four years broadcasting the national pastime. In 1995, he hosted the world figure skating championships and the following year hosted NBC's daytime coverage of the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.
We are sorry to learn of the passing of Greg Gumbel, one of the greatest sportsmen of our time.
While he was known for many years covering football, baseball, and the Olympic Games, Gumbel was the host and play-by-play for several of Baseball's biggest events in… pic.twitter.com/CwYBLncOok
–@MLB
But it was football and basketball where he was famous and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS' NFL studio show The NFL today from 1990 to 1993, and again in 2004-05.
Earlier this year, Gumbel recalled replacing Brent Musburger as a guest The NFL today in 1990, describing it as terrifying and terrifying.
“It was an honor that I got to sit in the same chair and do the same thing or try to do the same thing that he did,” he said.
Gumbel also announced 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 the post that after the 2022 season.
“Like everyone who knew and loved him. I'm also saddened by his passing, but also so grateful to have known him in my life,” said Clark Kellogg, a basketball game analyst and studio at CBS Sports in reporting. “What a gift to be touched by such a great person and partner.”
I am saddened to hear of the passing of longtime and legendary broadcaster and friend Greg Gumbel. Greg was an African-American pioneer. He spent more than 50 years in sports broadcasting – as one of the original studio guests and in the broadcast booth for the NFL, March Madness, and…
Gumbel was the older brother of NBC host Bryant Gumbel Today presentation and Real Sports by 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 interviewed at WMAQ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Chicago, in 1973 after his brother got involved in sports, according to the book You're Watching Live!: How the NFL Changed Sports Broadcasting Today. He was soon offered a position as a weekend sports anchor.
“I was surprised that I got the job. In fact I was not a polite person,” he said in the book. “By my own account, it took me a good year to start feeling comfortable in front of a camera. “
Gumbel also worked for ESPN and the Madison Square Garden network.
James Brown, who is currently hosting The NFL todaydescribed Gumbel on Friday as, “Mr. Versatility and also very telegenic.”
“I was happy to call him a friend and one who would do whatever was given to him after an assignment,” he said.
Gumbel won local Emmy Awards during his long career and received the 2007 Pat Summerall award for excellence in sports broadcasting.
Outside of his role as a sports player, he was involved with the March of Dimes for three decades, 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.
