CBS Sports anchor and commentator Greg Gumbel (Inside the NFL, 75 Years of March Madness) has passed away at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news in the statement below to CBS News in an article via Deadline.
“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,” the statement reads. It was shared by his wife Marcy and daughter Michelle.
“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,” the statement continued, according to Deadline.
Born in Louisiana, Gumbel began his sportscasting career in the 1970s. He was encouraged by His brother, Bryant, encouraged him to pursue a job at the NBC O&O station in Chicago, where he worked for seven years, according to Deadline.
Gumbel’s illustrious career included work with ESPN, where he anchored SportsCenter and called NBA games. He also covered Yankee games for MSG and hosted the first radio morning show on WFAN in New York City, as reported in an article in Deadline.
Gumbel joined CBS in 1988 as a part-time NFL announcer, later expanding his role to include college basketball and The NFL Today. His career at CBS also involved covering events like the MLB, NCAA Tournament, Daytona 500 and Pepsi 400, according to Deadline.
In 1994, Gumbel left CBS Sports for NBC, where he served as a sports anchor. Four years later, he returned to CBS Sports and continued his long career in broadcasting.
In 2022, Gumbel celebrated his 50th anniversary in the industry. This milestone marked half a century of contributions to sports broadcasting, with his legacy solidified across major networks recognized by Deadline.
“The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television,” said David Berson, the president & CEO of CBS Sports, in a statement. “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,” Berson continued.
“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,” he added.
Gumbel’s death marks the end of a remarkable era in sports broadcasting.