Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from most cancers, in response to an announcement from household launched 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 spouse Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel mentioned in an announcement.
In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Event since 1997 attributable to what he mentioned on the time had been household well being points. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the community from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS final 12 months that allowed him to proceed internet hosting faculty basketball whereas stepping again from NFL saying duties.
In 2001, he introduced Tremendous Bowl XXXV for CBS, changing into the primary Black announcer within the U.S. to name play-by-play of a significant sports activities championship.
David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports activities, described Gumbel as breaking limitations and setting requirements for others throughout his years as a voice for followers in sports activities, together with within the NFL and March Insanity.
“A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” mentioned Berson.
Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the community for NBC when it misplaced soccer in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998.
He hosted CBS’ protection of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and referred to as Main League Baseball video games throughout its four-year run broadcasting the nationwide pastime. In 1995, he hosted the World Determine Skating Championships and the next 12 months hosted NBC’s daytime protection of the Olympic Summer season Video games in Atlanta.
However it was soccer and basketball the place he was finest recognized and made his greatest affect. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio present, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and once more in 2004.
He additionally referred to as NFL video games because the community’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, together with Tremendous Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL sales space in 2005, leaving that function after the 2022 season.
“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 activities faculty basketball recreation and studio analyst, mentioned in an announcement. “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 Faculty in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a level in English. He gained native Emmy Awards throughout his lengthy profession and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports activities broadcasting.
Exterior of his profession as a sportscaster, he was affiliated with the March of Dimes for 3 many years, together with as a member of its board of trustees. He additionally was a member of the Sports activities Council for St Jude’s Kids’s Analysis Hospital for 16 years.
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Related Press reporter Mike Sisak contributed.