Greg Gumbel Dies at 78; Broadcasting Legend Anchored CBS' NFL, March Madness Coverage
December 27, 2024
Legendary sportscaster Greg Gumbel, whose voice became synonymous with CBS' long-standing NFL and NCAA men's basketball tournament coverage, has died of cancer. He was 78 years old.
Marcy and Michelle Gumbel, his wife and daughter, released a statement following his passing.
Gumbel was CBS' studio host for men's college basketball coverage from 1998-2024, most famously serving Selection Sunday's yearly voice as he revealed the annual tournament brackets. He also worked as a play-by-play commentator for CBS' NFL coverage from 1998-2003 and again from 2006-2002.
In addition, Gumbel is just one of four people to both host and call a Super Bowl. He hosted Super Bowls XXVI, XXX, and XXXII and called Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII. Dick Enberg and Al Michaels preceded him with those honors, and Jim Nantz became the fourth person to do so with his call of Super Bowl XLI.
Gumbel was born in New Orleans in 1946 and later grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Loras College in 1967 with a degree in English. Six years later, Gumbel got his first broadcasting job working for Chicago's NBC affiliate, WMAQ-TV, in 1973. He worked there for seven years before moving on to other networks, including ESPN, MSG Network and WFAN Radio in New York.
With ESPN, Gumbel served as a SportsCenter anchor and did play-by-play for NBA games. Gumbel was also a studio host for the New York Yankees pre- and postgame shows and hosted a morning show on WFAN.
Gumbel's first stint with CBS Sports was from 1989-1994. He notably hosted NFL Today from 1990-1993 and hosted Super Bowl XXVI in 1992. In addition, he was the network's co-anchor for the weekday morning broadcasts for the 1992 Winter Olympics and the anchor for the 1994 Winter Olympics' primetime broadcasts. Among other roles, Gumbel also called play-by-play for regular-season and postseason Major League Baseball and hosted the 1990 All-Star Game.
Gumbel moved to NBC Sports from 1994-98, notably working as the host of "The NFL on NBC" pregame show. He also hosted two Super Bowls for the network in 1996 and 1998. Gumbel continued to call baseball games, working as the play-by-play announcer on NBC's "Baseball Night in America" regular-season and postseason games. He also added national NBA games to his repertoire, working as a play-by-play announcer for "The NBA on NBC." Gumbel also worked the Summer Olympics, hosting daytime coverage of the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
In 1998, Gumbel headed back to CBS, which was his home for the remainder of his career. He served as CBS' top play-by-play announcer for NFL games from 1998-2003 before moving to the studio as the NFL Today host. Gumbel headed back to calling NFL play-by-play in 2006.
Away from the microphone, Gumbel involved himself in numerous charities, per his Paramount biography:
"Away from the studio, Gumbel enjoyed a 30-year relationship with the March of Dimes. Having completed the maximum two-six-year terms allowed as a member of the March of Dimes Board of Trustees, he continued to serve the organization for an additional 18 years as a member of the March of Dimes National Board of Advisors. And for 16 years, Gumbel has been a member of the Sports Council for St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, which provides direction and guidance for the mission of that organization."
In sum, Gumbel was a staple of American national sports coverage for decades, alongside his brother Greg, a fellow sportscaster and journalist who notably co-hosted NBC's Today for 15 years.
Many offered their fond remembrances and condolences after news of Gumbel's passing. Of note, CBS Sports President and CEO David Berson also released a statement, as did Major League Baseball.
MLB @MLBWe are saddened to learn of the passing of Greg Gumbel, one of the preeminent sportscasters of his time.<br><br>While known for his many years covering football, basketball, and the Olympic Games, Gumbel served as a host and play-by-play man for several of Baseball's biggest events in… <a href="https://t.co/CwYBLncOok">pic.twitter.com/CwYBLncOok</a>
A host of others did as well, including Magic Johnson.
Earvin Magic Johnson @MagicJohnsonI'm saddened to hear about the passing of longtime and legendary broadcaster and friend Greg Gumbel. Greg was an African-American pioneer. He spent over 50 years in sports broadcasting - as one of the first studio hosts and in the broadcast booth for the NFL, March Madness, and…
Jeremy Schaap @JeremySchaapGreg Gumbel was a giant in the business. Unflappable. I wrote for him at two Olympics, in Lillehammer and Atlanta. In Lillehammer, he was hosting the highest-rated unscripted show in tv history--second highest-rated, period, surpassed only by the last episode of MASH--and he was… <a href="https://t.co/WWbDHhPl5O">pic.twitter.com/WWbDHhPl5O</a>
Brian Baranowski @BBaranowskiThe NCAA tournament theme music on CBS and Greg Gumbel's voice on the 3rd Sunday of March gave you a pep in your step knowing that you made it through the winter, and spring and the best 4 days on the sports calendar was right around the corner. <a href="https://t.co/Vq2fYiZcID">https://t.co/Vq2fYiZcID</a>
Matt Jones @KySportsRadioRIP to Greg Gumbel, the host of College Basketball for as long as I can remember. When I think of Selection Sunday and the CBS College Basketball studio show, he is always the first thing that comes to mind and had understated greatness. He was 78 years old <a href="https://t.co/7HAivT1QuL">pic.twitter.com/7HAivT1QuL</a>
Tim Brando @TimBrandoLast March when we were told Greg Gumbel was taking off from <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarchMadnessMBB</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBSSports</a> I feared it was something serious. According to published reports my worst fears were true. Apparently he's died at age 78. A sportscasting GIANT. Greg could do it all.🙏💜 <a href="https://t.co/JMY2OKzSvr">pic.twitter.com/JMY2OKzSvr</a>
Dick Vitale @DickieVJust learned of the passing of GREG GUMBEL - loved sharing time in the 80's as a guest on <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsCenter</a> when he hosted -two words come to my mind when I think of Greg CLASS & TALENTED ! May GREG RIP CANCER SUCKS ! <br>Source: <a href="https://t.co/mcyy1qkDKE">https://t.co/mcyy1qkDKE</a> <a href="https://t.co/oh2He2stn4">https://t.co/oh2He2stn4</a>
Rowdy Gaines @RowdyGainesSo very sad to hear of the passing of my friend and one time colleague Greg Gumbel. He was the ultimate pro. I auditioned for the NBC Olympic job back in the early 90s with Greg as my play-by-play guy…he was so kind and patient and was one of the big reasons why I got the job.… <a href="https://t.co/4RzamL583b">pic.twitter.com/4RzamL583b</a>
Michele Tafoya @Michele_TafoyaThere was no kinder person in Sports television than Greg Gumbel. How fortunate I was to have worked with him while I did at CBS. What a loss. Rest easy, Greg. Thank you for all the great moments you provided the viewers — and your colleagues. <a href="https://t.co/4Cje9zVXid">https://t.co/4Cje9zVXid</a>
Brent Axe @BrentAxeMediaGreg Gumbel was the comforting voice of one of the best days of the year, Selection Sunday. He made the studio jobs and play-by-play assignments he took on at CBS look effortless. Had the pleasure to interview him a few times as well and he couldn't have been more gracious. RIP🙏
Gumbel was an tremendously talented and versatile broadcaster who shined at numerous posts, and he will be deeply missed.
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