Greg Gumbel, a sports broadcaster widely known for broadcasting some of the biggest college and basketball games on popular American media networks, died on Friday (December 27) at his Florida home at the age of 78. . Mr Gumbel’s death was confirmed by his family in a social message. Media post issued by cbs sports, Where he had worked since 1989. According to reports, he was suffering from cancer.
With a career spanning more than 50 years, Mr. Gumbel was a leading voice in sports broadcasting. He was also the first black commentator to call play-by-play of a major sports championship when he worked on Super Bowl XXXV for CBS.
“He leaves a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication for more than 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcasting industry; And his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement.
A statement from CBS Sports on the passing of Greg Gumbel pic.twitter.com/Bp4ixu7mWB
– CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) 27 December 2024
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CBS Sports Chairman and CEO David Burson paid tribute to Mr. Gumbel, who served two stints with the network.
Mr. Burson said, “A tremendous broadcaster and talented storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and unprecedented sports broadcasting careers ever.”
Social media users also reminisced about Mr Gumbel and expressed regret that they would never hear the loud voice in the commentary box again.
“Selection Sunday will never be the same! RIP Mr. Gumbel,” one user said, while another added: “I had no idea how much this would hit me.”
A third commented: “So sad. Lots of memories of him from March Madness. On the other hand, I didn’t know he was 78. Dude looks 20 years younger.”
Tear out @NFLonCBS @CBSSportsNet , @cbsncaatourney BEST VOICE EVER GREG GUMBEL_I was so glad to see him named the greatest sportswriter of all time, he will always be the voice of CBS Sports, his legacy will live on forever, thanks for a great 50 years, you truly RIP Sports miss the icon??? pic.twitter.com/1AU3fqnXhj
– James F. Roets Jr. (@f_roets93142) 28 December 2024
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Mr. Gumbel was born May 3, 1946, in New Orleans, but grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a degree in English. He got his first job as an announcer in the early 1970s at Channel 5, where he was assigned to broadcast a high school basketball game every Saturday.
His career took off in the 1980s when he began covering the National Basketball Association before calling his first NFL game in 1988. During his decades-long career, he won local Emmy Awards and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. ,
