Legendary Broadcaster Greg Gumbel Dead at 78

A man who had become a sports broadcasting legend on CBS has passed away.

Greg Gumbel succumbed to his battle with cancer this week, passing away on December 27.

Cancer Wins

Cancer continues to rear its ugly head, and this time, it has taken a voice away from sports fans that they have relied on for decades. Gumbel’s wife, March, and daughter, Michelle, announced his death on social media.

They posted, “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.”

CBS Sports announced its condolences, stating, “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.”

Needless to say, the tributes poured in all weekend from those who both worked with Gumbel as well as those who enjoyed his calls over the years.

An Amazing Career

Greg’s career got started when his brother, Bryant, told him that an NBC affiliate station in Chicago was looking for a sports announcer. So, he put his career selling hospital supplies on ice and tried out for the job.

Gumbel bounced around for years, including a stint hosting Sports Center on ESPN as well as a stint doing a morning show on WFAN. Then, in 1988, Gumbel landed at CBS, announcing NFL and college basketball games. He would eventually branch out to MLB and college football and even covered a few races.

In 1994, Gumbel moved over to NBC, calling NFL and MLB games. Again, he branched out to other sports, calling NBA games as well as doing Olympic coverage.

After announcing Super Bowl XXXII on NBC, he left the network and returned to CBS, where he would stay for the remainder of his career. Gumbel then became a fixture calling NFL games as well as the network’s March Madness coverage.

Most Memorable Calls

For Utah Jazz fans, there is no more memorable call than the 1997 Western Conference Finals when John Stockton hit a 3-pointer to win the game and send the Jazz to its first finals in team history. Gumbel’s "John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals” is still remembered by all Jazz fans.

One of his more memorable calls in the NFL was the Baltimore Raven’s Justin Tucker kicking a 66-year field goal to set the record. As Tucker hit the kick, Gumbel stated, "On its way … it bounces off the crossbar. ... and it's good! Oh my goodness!"

It was not a call, but Gumbel’s voice could heard to start the Selection Sunday show on CBS for years. For college basketball and bracket junkies, his introduction would send a chill up their spine as March Madness was officially underway.

Gumbel was not my favorite broadcaster, but he also never got under my skin, which, if you know me and broadcasters, is a compliment of the highest kind. Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for all those amazing sports memories.