Greg Gumbel, Legendary Sports Broadcaster, Dead at 78 After Battle With Cancer

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

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” his family said in a statement via CBS Sports on Friday, December 27. “He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer.”

According to wife, Marcy, and his daughter, Michelle, Greg “approached his illness like one would expect he would, 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.

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

“I wanted to pattern myself after [fellow CBS play-by-play man] Pat Summerall,” Greg once told Sports Illustrated in 2022. “He didn’t overtalk. He was understated. He was specific about the things that he said. And he was terrific. But how can you not be terrific when you’re doing Giants-Cowboys, Bears-Packers, Rams-49ers, Eagles-Giants?”

One major career accomplishment came when Greg was asked to be the primetime anchor of CBS Sports’ coverage of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.

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

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

“He was a familiar and welcoming voice for 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 Greg’s loss, his closest family members will remember his “iconic voice” on game day as well as the love he showed for life away from any field.

“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,” his family’s statement read. “Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him.”