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 affection, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years within the sports activities broadcast business; and his iconic voice won’t ever be forgotten,” his spouse Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel stated in an announcement.
In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 as a result of what he stated 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 yr that allowed him to proceed internet hosting school 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 US to name play-by-play of a serious sports activities championship.
David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports activities, described Gumbel as breaking boundaries and setting requirements for others throughout his years as a voice for followers in sports activities, together with within the NFL and March Insanity.
“An incredible broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the vital outstanding and groundbreaking sports activities broadcasting careers of all time,” stated 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 yr hosted NBC’s daytime protection of the Olympic Summer season Video games in Atlanta.
But it surely was soccer and basketball the place he was greatest recognized and made his largest affect. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio present, ‘The NFL In the present day’ 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 beloved him, I too am saddened by his loss of life, but additionally so very grateful to have recognized him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports activities school basketball sport and studio analyst, stated in an announcement. “What a present to be touched by such an excellent man and companion.”
Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras School in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a level in English. He received native Emmy Awards throughout his lengthy profession and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports activities broadcasting.
Outdoors 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.
