A legend in the business of sports broadcasting, Greg Gumbel dies at 78 after a battle with cancer, as reported on Friday by his family.
“He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer,” his wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel, said in a joint statement released by CBS Sports. “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.”
The sportscaster became a staff member of CBS Sports in 1998, and he took the role of studio host for NCAA tournaments, March Madness coverage, and a popular voice in the NFL. He could not join the NCAA tournament in 2023 because of health-related family issues.
Gumbel also broke the record of being the first Black person to announce and call play-by-play for a major U.S. sports championship, Super Bowl XXXV, in 2001. He was famous for his profession, and while at it, he took a role as an anchor for “SportsCenter” at ESPN. He was also at NBC, where he hosted Olympic Games coverage and called MLB games.
Gumbel was not just a sportscaster in his lifetime; he was also dedicated to charitable work with the March of Dimes and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for decades.
He was a graduate of Loras College and a native of Chicago; he was blessed to have received the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence and multiple Emmy Awards.
CBS Sports President and CEO, David Berson, acknowledged the late broadcaster for doing the impossible and setting standards in the sports broadcasting business. His impact and legacy are legendary.
“A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” Berson said.
