Sportscasting Legend Greg Gumbel Dead At 78 After Cancer Battle

Sports broadcasting legend Greg Gumbel has died.

CBS said in a statement Friday "he passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer."

The longtime studio host's good friend, Dan Forer, mourned his passing in an emotional Facebook post on Friday ... writing, "The holidays are supposed to be filled with joy, but they are often mixed with sorrow. I just learned that my dear friend Greg Gumbel has passed."

"Greg was the best announcer a young producer/director could have because he was extremely inclusive and never ever lost his cool -- except for the time we were shooting a Super Bowl Anti-Drug PSA in the South Bronx at 2am and live gunfire erupted," the Emmy-winning producer said. "That was the only occasion Greg raised his voice and had a few choice words for me; which I deserved."

"In addition to being a true professional he was a kind, magnificent man. May his memory be a treasured blessing for his family and friends."

Gumbel was a mainstay when it came to sports on CBS -- he called NFL games for decades ... and also anchored the network's coverage of NCAA tournaments for years too.

This past season was actually the first March Madness Gumbel had missed since 1997. His colleagues stated at the time he was away from the game "due to family health matters."

"It's somewhat surreal that he's not to my right -- he's been there for a couple decades," Clark Kellogg said when previewing the 2024 tournament last spring. "Praying and hoping, Greg, that you will indeed be back in 2025."

Gumbel -- the older brother of Bryant Gumbel -- was 78 years old.

RIP.