FILE – Greg Gumbel, left, watches as Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun talks to Butler head coach Brad Stevens, proper, previous to taping a tv interview for the lads’s NCAA Ultimate 4 faculty basketball championship sport on April 3, 2011, in Houston.
Eric Homosexual/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Eric Homosexual/AP
NEW YORK — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from most cancers, based on an announcement from household launched by CBS on Friday. He was 78.
“He leaves behind a legacy of affection, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years within the sports activities broadcast trade; and his iconic voice won’t ever be forgotten,” his spouse Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel mentioned in an announcement.
In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Match since 1997 because of what he mentioned on the time have been household well being points. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the community from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS final 12 months that allowed him to proceed internet hosting faculty basketball whereas stepping again from NFL asserting duties.
In 2001, he introduced Tremendous Bowl XXXV for CBS, changing into the primary Black announcer within the U.S. to name play-by-play of a significant sports activities championship.
David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports activities, described Gumbel as breaking boundaries and setting requirements for others throughout his years as a voice for followers in sports activities, together with within the NFL and March Madness.
“An incredible broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led some of the exceptional and groundbreaking sports activities broadcasting careers of all time,” mentioned Berson.
Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the community for NBC when it misplaced soccer in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998.
He hosted CBS’ protection of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and known as Main League Baseball video games throughout its four-year run broadcasting the nationwide pastime. In 1995, he hosted the World Determine Skating Championships and the next 12 months hosted NBC’s daytime protection of the Olympic Summer time Video games in Atlanta.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders (left) and operating again Michael Irvin (88) share the Vince Lombardi trophy as NBC commentator Greg Gumbel interviews the 2 after Tremendous Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 28, 1996.
Ron Heflin/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Ron Heflin/AP
Nevertheless it was soccer and basketball the place he was greatest recognized and made his greatest influence. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio present, “The NFL Immediately” from 1990 to 1993 and once more in 2004.
He additionally known as NFL video games because the community’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, together with Tremendous Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL sales space in 2005, leaving that position after the 2022 season.
“Like all who knew and cherished him, I too am saddened by his demise, but additionally so very grateful to have recognized him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports activities faculty basketball sport and studio analyst, mentioned in an announcement. “What a present to be touched by such an excellent man and companion.”
Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras School in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a level in English. He gained native Emmy Awards throughout his lengthy profession and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports activities broadcasting.
Exterior of his profession as a sportscaster, he was affiliated with the March of Dimes for 3 a long time, together with as a member of its board of trustees. He additionally was a member of the Sports activities Council for St Jude’s Kids’s Analysis Hospital for 16 years.
