Greg Gumbel, a 3-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and sportscaster, has passed away from cancer, according to his wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel. He was 78 years old.
“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.
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.
Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues, and all who loved him.” – Marcy & Michelle Gumbel
A statement from the family of Greg Gumbel pic.twitter.com/oAkSrW8EtJ
— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) December 27, 2024
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Gumbel was the eldest son of Richard Gumbel, a judge, and Rhea Alice LeCesne. Raised on Chicago’s South Side, he attended and graduated from De La Salle Institute.
Gumbel’s broadcasting journey began in Chicago and spanned over 50 years, making him a trusted voice in sports media. He earned three Emmys, two of which came during his time at WMAQ-TV in Chicago. He covered nearly every major professional and collegiate sporting league, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, and NCAA basketball.
Gumbel covered nearly every significant sporting event, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, and NFL Pro Bowl. In fact, his voice, relied upon by millions for its clarity, geniality, and accuracy, narrated some of the greatest sporting events in history. His became synonymous with CBS Sports’ NCAA Men’s March Madness coverage.
Gumbel also became the first African-American announcer to call play-by-play of a major sports championship in the United States when he announced Super Bowl XXXV for the CBS network in 2001.
When news of his passing broke, it garnered an overwhelming response, with everyone acknowledging Gumbel’s towering legacy in journalism and sports broadcasting.
I’m saddened to hear about the passing of longtime and legendary broadcaster and friend Greg Gumbel. Greg was an African-American pioneer. He spent over 50 years in sports broadcasting – as one of the first studio hosts and in the broadcast booth for the NFL, March Madness, and…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 27, 2024
Greg Gumbel was a giant in the business. Unflappable. I wrote for him at two Olympics, in Lillehammer and Atlanta. In Lillehammer, he was hosting the highest-rated unscripted show in tv history–second highest-rated, period, surpassed only by the last episode of MASH–and he was… pic.twitter.com/WWbDHhPl5O
— Jeremy Schaap (@JeremySchaap) December 27, 2024
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Greg Gumbel, one of the preeminent sportscasters of his time.
While known for his many years covering football, basketball, and the Olympic Games, Gumbel served as a host and play-by-play man for several of Baseball’s biggest events in… pic.twitter.com/CwYBLncOok
— MLB (@MLB) December 27, 2024
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