His family shared the heartbreaking news in a statement on Friday, saying:
"It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He peacefully left us, surrounded by love, after a brave fight with cancer. True to his character, Greg faced his illness with unwavering strength, grace, and positivity."
Greg leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, inspiration, and over 50 remarkable years in the sports broadcasting world. His iconic voice will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.
His memory will be cherished by his family, friends, colleagues, and all who admired him. — Marcy & Michelle Gumbel
Gumbel made his mark as a play-by-play announcer and studio host for CBS Sports, and had a distinguished tenure at NBC Sports. He earned the admiration of fans through his work on "The NFL Today," multiple Super Bowls, and Olympic Games.
In 2022, he celebrated his 50th year in broadcasting.
"The CBS Sports family is heartbroken by the loss of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a more gracious and respected figure in television. He was deeply loved by all of us who had the privilege of calling him a friend and colleague," said David Berson, President & CEO of CBS Sports.
"Greg was an exceptional broadcaster and a gifted storyteller, leading one of the most distinguished and groundbreaking careers in sports broadcasting history. His voice became a trusted companion for fans across a variety of sports, from the NFL to March Madness, with standout moments including the Super Bowl and Final Four," said Berson.
"Greg broke barriers and set a standard that others strive to follow. Today is a profoundly sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and the entire sports community. We will miss him deeply and extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Marcy, daughter, Michelle, and his entire family."
Born in New Orleans on May 3, 1946, and raised in Chicago, Gumbel graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967. His younger brother, Bryant Gumbel, also became a prominent figure in broadcasting, hosting NBC's "Today" show and "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO.
Greg Gumbel joined CBS Sports in 1989 after a successful career hosting and providing play-by-play for New York Knicks basketball and New York Yankees baseball on the Madison Square Garden Network (MSGN), where he earned a local Emmy Award. He also worked for ESPN, WMAQ-TV Chicago, winning two local Emmys, and WFAN Radio in New York City.
At CBS Sports, Gumbel hosted "The NFL Today," the network's NFL pre-game, halftime, and post-game studio show, from 1990 to 1993 and again from 2004 to 2005. He also covered three Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXVI in 1992, Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, and Super Bowl 50 in 2016.
Gumbel served as the primetime anchor for CBS Sports' coverage of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and co-anchored the network's weekday morning broadcasts of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games. Additionally, he was a play-by-play announcer for regular-season and postseason Major League Baseball, hosted the 1990 MLB All-Star Game, and covered college football and the College World Series for CBS Sports over several years.
"Greg truly was one of the greats. He had a light touch, a sharp wit, and everyone loved working with him," said Lesley Visser, his longtime colleague at CBS Sports. "Greg brought an innate dignity to everything he did," she added in an interview with CBS News on Friday.
In 1994, Gumbel moved to NBC Sports for four years, where he hosted "The NFL on NBC" pre-game show and served as host for NBC's Super Bowl pre-game shows in 1996 and 1998.
Greg Gumbel hosted the pre-game show for the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and served as a play-by-play announcer for NBC's "Baseball Night in America." He also called games for "The NBA on NBC" and hosted the network's daytime coverage of the 1996 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta.
In 1998, Gumbel returned to CBS Sports as host and play-by-play announcer for college basketball and "The NFL on CBS," where he worked alongside analyst Phil Simms for six seasons. He also called CBS’s coverage of Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII, making history as the first network broadcaster to both host and provide play-by-play for a Super Bowl.
Gumbel hosted "The NFL Today" for two seasons before returning to the booth to team with Dan Dierdorf for eight seasons, continuing through 2013. He also hosted "Inside the NFL" on SHOWTIME in 2014, alongside analysts Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, Ed Reed, and Brandon Marshall. At CBS, Gumbel provided play-by-play for regular-season college basketball, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, NBA regular-season and playoff games, and College World Series championship games.
"The news of Greg Gumbel’s passing is just heartbreaking," wrote sportscaster Ernie Johnson, host of "Inside the NBA," in a social media post. "It was an honor to share the March Madness desk with him. A pro’s pro and a gentleman of the highest order."
Gumbel was honored with the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting.
"Greg Gumbel didn’t care about fame at all," said Lesley Visser. "He cared about the people he worked with and the work he did."
Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson also paid tribute, writing on X: "I'm saddened to hear about the passing of longtime and legendary broadcaster and friend Greg Gumbel. Greg was an African-American pioneer."
Outside of broadcasting, Gumbel was a dedicated supporter of the March of Dimes, serving two six-year terms on its Board of Trustees and an additional 18 years on its National Board of Advisors. For 16 years, he was also part of the Sports Council for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, providing direction and guidance for the organization's mission.
Since 2009, Gumbel had also served as a member of the Board of Regents for his alma mater, Loras College.
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