Greg Gumbel, the renowned sports broadcaster who spent decades calling major sporting events at CBS, has died of cancer, his family confirmed on Friday. Gumbel was 78 years old.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” his family said in a statement. “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.”
Gumbel was a trailblazer in the industry. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black network broadcaster to call play-by-play of any major sports championship. He announced the game again for Super Bowl XXXVIII three years later.
Gumbel was also well-known for his coverage of college basketball and the annual NCAA Tournament. He missed the tournament this past year due to what CBS said were “family health issues.” He is the younger brother of Bryant Gumbel, the former host of HBO’s RealSports program. Aside from his time at CBS, Gumbel also had stints at NBC and on ESPN anchoring SportsCenter.
“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,” Gumbel’s family said in their statement. “Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him.”
Among those paying homage after Gumbel’s death were fellow CBS broadcasters Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg, and Lesley Visser.
“Greg Gumbel was broadcasting royalty. He was as selfless a broadcaster as anyone in the industry has ever known,” Nantz said in a statement. “Our careers intersected for nearly 35 years, and he was the consummate teammate and friend. There’s not a member of the CBS Sports family who doesn’t have a sweet or kind memory of Greg. I have so much love and respect for him, and I’m going to miss him dearly.”
In his tribute, Kellogg wrote: “For close to 25 years, I enjoyed and was richly blessed by Greg’s friendship, goodness, humor, partnership, professionalism and wisdom.” He continued, “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. What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner.”
Visser remembered the legendary broadcaster as a figure in the industry who “was foundational to CBS,” adding, “He loved all the men and women of CBS; we were blessed with his rare humanity.”