Longtime CBS Sports activities anchor and commentator Greg Gumbel died on Friday, December 27, after a battle with most cancers. He was 78.
The information of Greg’s passing was first introduced by veteran producer and director Dan Forer, who wrote on Fb, “The vacations are alleged to be crammed with pleasure, however they’re usually combined with sorrow. I simply realized that my expensive buddy Greg Gumbel has handed.”
Greg’s spouse, Marcy, and daughter, Michelle, later confirmed the information in an announcement to CBS Information, writing, “It’s with profound unhappiness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He handed away peacefully surrounded by a lot love after a brave battle with most cancers.”
“Greg approached his sickness like one would anticipate he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity,” the assertion continued. “He leaves behind a legacy of affection, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years within the sports activities broadcast trade; and his iconic voice won’t ever be forgotten. Greg’s reminiscence will perpetually be treasured by his household, dearest associates, colleagues and all who cherished him.”
A press release from the household of Greg Gumbel pic.twitter.com/oAkSrW8EtJ
— CBS Sports activities PR (@CBSSportsGang) December 27, 2024
Born on Could 3, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Greg acquired his begin in broadcasting resulting from his youthful brother, Bryant Gumbel, who himself has a protracted profession as a TV anchor. In 1973, Bryant knowledgeable Greg that the NBC-owned WMAQ-TV in Chicago was auditioning for a sports activities announcer. Greg landed the job and labored for the station for seven years.
He would go on to work for MSG, WFAN radio, and ESPN, the place he anchored SportsCenter and did play-by-play for early NBA video games. Nonetheless, Greg is finest identified for his work at CBS, which he joined in 1988 as a part-time NFL and faculty basketball announcer. He’d later change into host of The NFL Right now alongside Terry Bradshaw and anchored protection of Main League Baseball, faculty soccer, and the Daytona 500.
Mitchell Layton/Getty Pictures
Greg moved to NBC in 1994 when the community acquired the broadcasting rights for the NFL and MLB. He returned to CBS after the Tremendous Bowl XXXII in 1998, following the community’s acquisition of the rights to NBC’s earlier NFL package deal. He served because the lead announcer for the NFL between 1998 and 2003 earlier than reprising his function as The NFL Right now host in 2004. He’d later return to the published sales space on the finish of the 2005 season and has served there ever since.
You may take a look at the various tributes to Greg beneath.
The information that Greg Gumbel has handed is simply heartbreaking. Was an honor to share the March Insanity desk with him.
A professional’s professional and a gentleman of the best order.— Ernie Johnson (@TurnerSportsEJ) December 28, 2024
Mike Hill on Greg Gumbel:
“Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, was a pioneer within the enterprise…introduced Tremendous Bowl 35 for CBS, changing into the primary Black announcer within the US to name play-by-play for a serious sports activities championship.”pic.twitter.com/M7qEJX3qgG
— Terrible Saying (@awfulannouncing) December 28, 2024
I’m saddened to listen to concerning the passing of longtime and legendary broadcaster and buddy Greg Gumbel. Greg was an African-American pioneer. He spent over 50 years in sports activities broadcasting – as one of many first studio hosts and within the broadcast sales space for the NFL, March Insanity, and…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 27, 2024
It was 1998. CBS simply acquired the NFL again, & employed a fresh-faced 28 yr outdated from ESPN to do pregame options.
She was nervous. Did she belong?
Greg Gumbel was the type, heat, welcoming voice that instilled in her the idea that she did.
You can be missed, Legend. #RIP pic.twitter.com/c5VeEOQgnt
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) December 28, 2024
Greg Gumbel was an iconic voice—fiercely sensible, heat, reliable. He was additionally my buddy. Greg wasn’t simply humorous—he was REALLY humorous. I’ll miss him. pic.twitter.com/kYkJkcT9pW
— Phil Simms (@PhilSimmsQB) December 28, 2024
Laborious to place into phrases how particular Greg Gumbel was. Terrific at every part he did … host, play-by-play you identify the game, he all the time had the best phrases and made each particular person he labored with shine. It was an honor to get to know him and we’re sending our prayers to his household.
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) December 28, 2024
So unhappy to listen to concerning the passing of Greg Gumbel. Whether or not internet hosting or calling video games Greg did it with ardour poise and made it look easy. Probably the greatest ever RIP pic.twitter.com/PqV2gj4wma
— trey wingo (@wingoz) December 27, 2024
Relaxation in Peace, Greg Gumbel.
I’ll all the time keep in mind his name of Antonio Cromartie’s record-setting return, the longest in NFL historical past.
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) December 27, 2024
Greg Gumbel wasn’t simply some of the gifted broadcasters within the historical past of sports activities tv. He was one of many really nice gents within the historical past of that enterprise. A pleasure to observe him. Rather more of a pleasure to know him.
— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) December 28, 2024
We’re saddened to be taught of the passing of Greg Gumbel, one of many preeminent sportscasters of his time.
Whereas identified for his a few years overlaying soccer, basketball, and the Olympic Video games, Gumbel served as a bunch and play-by-play man for a number of of Baseball’s largest occasions in… pic.twitter.com/CwYBLncOok
— MLB (@MLB) December 27, 2024
RIP Greg Gumbel. Will perpetually be etched in my reminiscence being on the decision for essentially the most legendary FG kick of all time pic.twitter.com/FS1PbEuhQw
— (@JakeFrmHateFarm) December 27, 2024
Assertion from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro on the passing of Greg Gumbel, who served as a SportsCenter anchor and contributed to ESPN’s early NBA protection from 1981-86. pic.twitter.com/dOM2XmwHl4
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) December 28, 2024