Greg Gumbel, Sports Broadcaster for 50 Years, Dead at 78

Longtime CBS sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel died at the age of 78 on Friday, December 27, reports CBS News. His wife and daughter, Marcy and Michelle Grumbel, confirmed he died from complications due to cancer in a statement to the outlet, writing, “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. Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity.” Throughout his career of over 50 years in sports broadcast, he worked with ESPN, NBC Sports, and CBS Sports, the latter being his longest broadcast home as he’s worked there consistently since 1998 until his break earlier this year from March Madness due to health issues. CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson remembered the broadcaster when breaking the news on Friday, writing, “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. Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow.

One of Gumbel’s biggest influences in American sports was his work with the Super Bowl; he was a broadcaster for nearly every aspect of the big game, from the pre-game show to a play-by-play of the actual game, since the 1990s. Gumbel was also the first African American announcer for a major sports championship when he called the Super Bowl in 2001. However, football and the NFL weren’t his only specialty in broadcasting. He was an announcer for the NCAA basketball league and for the Winter and Summer Olympics in 1990s.