Greg Gumbel, the groundbreaking and beloved sportscaster known for his decades of coverage of the NFL and NCAA, has passed away at the age of 78, per a statement from CBS and his family.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. 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. — Marcy & Michelle Gumbel"
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CBS Honors Gumbel
In a statement via CBS, David Berson, the president & CEO of CBS Sports, praised his longtime colleague.
"The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television. 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's Life and Career
Gumbel was born on May 3, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and began his career in local television before becoming best known for his decades of work with CBS.
He served as the host of CBS's NFL pregame show, The NFL Today, and also as a play-by-play announcer for numerous major sports events, including the NFL, NBA, NCAA basketball, and both the Winter and Summer Olympics.
Gumbel's groundbreaking achievements in sports broadcasting include making history in 2001 when he became the first African-American announcer to call play-by-play for a major sports championship in the United States. He did so by announcing Super Bowl XXXV for CBS.
Gumbel went on to call Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII, having also hosted Super Bowls XXVI, XXX, and XXXII. He became the third person in history to serve as both host and play-by-play announcer for the Super Bowl, following Dick Enberg and Al Michaels. His role in this prestigious event helped pave the way for future broadcasters, including Jim Nantz, who became the fourth person to take on this dual role during Super Bowl XLI.
Gumbel's contributions to the NFL and college basketball coverage were significant. For years, he was a staple in CBS's NFL coverage, where he worked as a play-by-play announcer until 2023. He was also the studio host for CBS's men's college basketball coverage, particularly during March Madness. Throughout his tenure with CBS, Gumbel was known for his professionalism, insightful commentary, and deep knowledge of the sports he covered.
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As the chief anchor of The NFL Today, Gumbel worked alongside notable analysts like Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe, and Boomer Esiason. The group often referred to him affectionately by his nickname, "Gumby," reflecting the camaraderie and respect he earned from his colleagues.
Gumbel's contributions to the industry have made him a trailblazer in sports broadcasting, and his legacy as a pioneering African-American announcer continues to inspire future generations of broadcasters. RIP, Mr. Gumbel.
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