Greg Gumbel, CBS Sports broadcasting legend, dies at 78

Greg Gumbel, the well-known CBS Sports anchor and pundit, has died at the age of 78. 

On Friday, his family issued a statement confirming the news.

Greg Gumbel at the CBS Broadcast Center on March 7, 2021.

Mary Kouw/CBS

"We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. After a brave struggle with cancer, he died quietly surrounded by many loved ones. Greg tackled his disease with stoicism, elegance, and positivism.

He leaves a legacy of love, inspiration, and commitment to the sports broadcasting business spanning over 50 years, and his famous voice will be remembered forever. 

Greg's memory will be treasured by his family, closest friends, coworkers, and everyone who loved him." — Marcy & Michelle Gumbel

Gumbel was a play-by-play announcer and studio presenter for CBS Sports, having previously worked for NBC Sports. He garnered millions of followers for his efforts anchoring coverage of everything from "The NFL Today" to many Super Bowls and Olympic games.

In 2022, he celebrated his 50th year of broadcasting.

"The CBS Sports family is crushed by the death of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a better guy on television. "He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the privilege of calling him a friend and colleague," said David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports.

"A terrific broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg had one of the most extraordinary and revolutionary sports broadcasting careers of all time. He was a known and welcome voice for fans of various sports, including the NFL and March Madness, culminating in the Super Bowl and Final Four," Berson added.

"Greg shattered barriers and established a standard for others to follow. It's a very sad day for everyone at CBS Sports and the broader sports community. We shall deeply miss Greg and extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Marcy, daughter Michelle, and whole family."

Gumbel was born in New Orleans on May 3, 1946, and grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967. Bryant Gumbel, his younger brother, rose to prominence in broadcasting as the anchor of NBC's "Today" show and HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel".

Greg Gumbel joined CBS Sports in 1989 following years of hosting and play-by-play responsibilities for New York Knicks basketball and New York Yankees baseball on the Madison Square Garden Network, as well as other MSGN programs, for which he received a local Emmy Award. He has also worked for ESPN, WMAQ-TV Chicago (where he won two local Emmys), and WFAN Radio in New York City.

He presented "The NFL Today," CBS Sports' NFL pre-game, halftime, and post-game studio show, from 1990 to 1993 and 2004 to 2005, as well as Super Bowl XXVI in 1992, Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, and Super Bowl 50 in 2016. 

He was the primetime anchor of CBS Sports' coverage of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and co-anchor of the network's weekday morning broadcasts of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games. 

He also served as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's regular and post-season games, as well as the host of the 1990 MLB All-Star Game, college football broadcasts for CBS Sports, and host and play-by-play announcer for the College World Series for numerous years. 

"He was truly one of the greats. He had a light touch, a quick wit, and everyone enjoyed working with him," said Lesley Visser, his longtime CBS Sports colleague. 

"Greg had an innate dignity that he brought to the table," she told CBS News during an interview on Friday.

Gumbel joined NBC Sports in 1994 and hosted "The NFL on NBC" pre-game program for four years, as well as NBC's Super Bowl pre-game show in 1996 and 1998. 

He presented the pre-game program for the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and worked as a play-by-play announcer for NBC's "Baseball Night in America." Gumbel also worked as a play-by-play announcer for "The NBA on NBC" and anchored NBC's daytime coverage of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. 

Gumbel returned to CBS Sports in 1998 as the 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 called CBS's coverage of Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII, becoming the first network broadcaster to call play-by-play and host the game. 

Gumbel anchored "The NFL Today" for two seasons before returning to the booth to work alongside Dan Dierdorf for eight seasons until 2013. In 2014, he hosted "Inside the NFL" on SHOWTIME, alongside commentators Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, Ed Reed, and Brandon Marshall. Gumbel also did play-by-play for regular-season college basketball, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball title, NBA regular-season and postseason games, and College World Series title games. 

"The news that Greg Gumbel has passed is just heartbreaking," sportscaster Ernie Johnson, presenter of "Inside the NBA," tweeted on social media. "It was an honor to share the March Madness desk with him. "A pro's pro and a gentleman of the highest order."

Gumbel received the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting.

"Greg Gumbel did not care about fame at all," Visser stated. "He cared about the people he worked with and the work that he did."

Basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson also paid respect, 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 the studio, Gumbel was a long-time supporter of the March of Dimes, having served on the organization's Board of Trustees for two six-year terms and the National Board of Advisors for an additional 18 years. He was also a member of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital's Sports Council for 16 years, where he provided direction and advice for the organization's objective.

He has also served on the Board of Regents at his alma school, Loras College, since 2009.