LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Greg Gumbel, a longtime NFL play-by-play voice and host for CBS Sports who was also known for hosting March Madness college basketball coverage for both CBS and Turner, has died of cancer at age 78, his family announced Friday.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” his wife, Marcy, and daughter, Michelle, wrote in a statement on X that was released by CBS.
“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.”
No time or place of death was announced.
In a career spanning more than 50 years, Gumbel hosted March Madness coverage from 1998-2023 and also called NFL play-by-play, including the Super Bowls of 2001 and 2004 — becoming the first Black person to call a major U.S. sports title game. A versatile voice, he also covered the NBA, major league baseball and several winter Olympics.
He missed this year’s March Madness coverage due to what The Athletic reported as “family health issues.”
A Chicago native, Gumbel worked for CBS from 1988-1993 and again from 1998-2024, with a stint at NBC in the middle. He hosted CBS’s “The NFL Today” from 1990-1993 and again from 2004-2005.
Besides his wife and daughter, survivors include younger brother Bryant Gumbel — host of HBO’s “Real Sports” and a former host of NBC’s “Today” show.
“The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel,” David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television. He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague.”
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