The world of sports broadcasting mourns the loss of Greg Gumbel, a legendary figure who passed away at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer. His family shared the news in a heartfelt statement: “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. 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.”

Gumbel’s impact on television spanned over five decades. His career began at WMAQ in Chicago, before moving to prominent roles at ESPN and NBC. His time at CBS, marked by two distinct periods (1989-1994 and 1998 onwards), solidified his legacy. He covered a broad range of sporting events, famously anchoring various parts of the network’s Olympics coverage in 1992 and 1994. His return to CBS in 1998 coincided with the network regaining NFL broadcasting rights. He became the lead announcer for “The NFL on CBS” from 1998 to 2003, achieving a historic feat by hosting and providing play-by-play commentary for Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII – a first in network history.

David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, offered a moving tribute: “The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. 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.” After his stint as lead announcer, Gumbel transitioned to studio roles and continued to contribute to CBS’s coverage of college basketball and other events. His contract was renewed in 2023, although health issues unfortunately prevented him from covering the 2024 March Madness tournament. Gumbel’s impressive career is further highlighted by his work on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL.” He is survived by his family and will be remembered for his remarkable contributions to the world of sports broadcasting. His brother, Bryant Gumbel, also a renowned television personality, will undoubtedly share in this profound loss.