Greg Gumbel, the popular CBS broadcaster who spent decades on the airwaves covering a multitude of sports, died Friday. He was 78 years old.
His family revealed in a statement to CBS News that he died after a battle with cancer:
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.
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.
Greg's memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him. — Marcy & Michelle Gumbel
For more than two decades, Gumbel was a regular in CBS's coverage in both the NFL and college basketball, always providing a welcoming face in either the broadcast booth or the studio host's chair. He retired from NFL coverage in 2022, but continued handling the college hoops side of the job until this year.
Gumbel stepped away from covering the 2024 NCAA Tournament, with "family health issues" presented as the reason why.
A New Orleans native and baseball player at Loras College, Gumbel was selling hospital supplies when his brother told him about a weekend sportscaster opening at WMAQ-TV in Chicago. He auditioned and got the job. staying there until ESPN came calling in 1981. He worked as a "SportsCenter" anchor during the network's early days, then found further stints at MSG Network, CBS and NBC before returning to CBS.
