Legendary broadcaster leaves lasting legacy of groundbreaking achievements and dedication to sports journalism. (AP File)

- Pioneering broadcaster became first Black announcer to call play-by-play of a major sports championship in 2001.
- Distinguished career included hosting Olympic coverage, NFL games, and serving as CBS's primary studio host for March Madness.
- Beyond broadcasting, Gumbel dedicated three decades to March of Dimes and 16 years to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Share
Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78.
“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,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement.
In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties.
In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship.
Related Story: Warren Upton, the Oldest Living Survivor of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Dies at ...
Breaking Barriers in Broadcasting
David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness.
“A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson.
Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998.
Olympic and Major League Coverage
He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. In 1995, he hosted the World Figure Skating Championships and the following year hosted NBC’s daytime coverage of the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta.
But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004.
He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.
Related Story: CBS News’ Costa Loves Fresno State and Valley Politics. He’s Coming ...
“Like all who knew and loved him, I too am saddened by his death, yet also so very grateful to have known him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports college basketball game and studio analyst, said in a statement. “What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner.”
Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a degree in English. He won local Emmy Awards during his long career and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting.
Outside of his career as a sportscaster, he was affiliated with the March of Dimes for three decades, including as a member of its board of trustees. He also was a member of the Sports Council for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years.
RELATED TOPICS:
Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue
1 day ago
Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says
1 day ago
Why Reforming California’s Bedrock Environmental Law Is Good for the Environment
2 days ago
Sinner Bids for His First French Open Title Against Defending Champion Alcaraz
2 days ago
Coco Gauff Defeats Top-Ranked Aryna Sabalenka in 3 Sets to Win Her First French Open Title
2 days ago
Texas Beats Texas Tech in 3rd Game of WCWS to Win Its 1st National Championship
2 days ago
Conforto Comes Through, Dodgers Rally in 8th for Victory Abetted by Mets Mishap
2 days ago
Giants Beat the Slumping Braves in 10 Innings on a Wild Pitch
2 days ago
California’s Stubborn Problems Keep Thwarting Its Ballooning Budget
19 hours ago
Categories

California’s Stubborn Problems Keep Thwarting Its Ballooning Budget

Trump Says Musk Relationship Over, Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’ if He Funds Democrats

Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue

Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says

Why Reforming California’s Bedrock Environmental Law Is Good for the Environment
