Legendary Sports Broadcaster Greg Gumbel Dead at 78

The sports community is mourning the death of the legendary broadcaster Greg Gumbel. He was 78 years old.

“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” his family said in a statement via CBC Sport on Friday, December 27. “He passed away peacefully surrounded by many loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer.”

According to a woman, Marcyand his daughter, MichelleGreg “approached his illness as one would expect, with stoicism, grace and positivity.”

Greg spent more than five decades covering sports. He joined CBS Sports in 1989 after years of hosting and play-by-play duties for New York Knicks basketball and New York Yankees baseball for the Madison Square Garden Network.

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During his career, he had the opportunity to host The NFL Today and was able to cover three Super Bowls. It also became a key part of the network’s March Madness lineup.

“I wanted to pattern myself after (a fellow CBS play-by-play man) Pat Summerall,” Greg once said Sports Illustrated in 2022. “He didn’t overtake. It was too low. He was specific about the things he said. And it was great. But how can you not be great when you’re doing Giants-Cowboys, Bears-Packers, Rams-49ers, Eagles-Giants?”

One major career achievement came when Greg was asked to be the primetime anchor for the CBS Sports coverage of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

“There has never been a gentleman in all of television,” CBS Sports said in a statement on December 27. “He was loved and respected by those of us who had the honor of calling him a friend and colleague. … It’s an incredibly sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and the entire sports community.”

CBS Sports hailed Greg as having one of the “most remarkable and innovative sports broadcasting careers of all time.” They also called him “a tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller.”

“He was a familiar and welcoming voice to fans across many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four,” the statement continued. “Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow.”

As sports fans continue to mourn the loss of Greg, his immediate family will remember his “iconic voice” on game day as well as the love he showed for life away from any field.

“He leaves a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 amazing years in the sports broadcasting industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his family’s statement read. “Greg’s memory will be forever cherished by his family, his dearest friends, his colleagues and all those who loved him.”