Greg Gumbel, Legendary Sports Broadcaster, Dies of Cancer at 78

Mar. 15, 2025

Greg Gumbel.Photo:Kris Connor/Getty

Kris Connor/Getty

Veteran sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died at the age of 78.

On Friday, Dec. 27, the renowned NFL broadcaster andMarch Madnesshost’s death was confirmed in afamily statementshared with PEOPLE.

“Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity,” it continued. “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 Gumbel is interviewed prior to the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four.Ronald Martinez/Getty

Ronald Martinez/Getty

The three-time Emmy winner served as the host ofNFL Todaythroughout his first stint with CBS and as an anchor for the network’s coverage of the Winter Olympics.

Greg Gumbel attends the March of Dimes 75th Anniversary Gala at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill on September 26, 2013 in Washington, DC.Kris Connor/Getty

“Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow. It is an extremely sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and the entire sports community. We will miss Greg dearly, and send our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, daughter Michelle, and his entire family.”

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Many of Gumbel’s peers paid tribute to him on Friday.

“Greg Gumbel was broadcasting royalty. He was as selfless a broadcaster as anyone in the industry has ever known. Our careers intersected for nearly 35 years, and he was the consummate teammate and friend. There’s not a member of the CBS Sports family who doesn’t have a sweet or kind memory of Greg. I have so much love and respect for him, and I’m going to miss him dearly,” longtime CBS host Jim Nantz wrote.

“Everyone in sports television is heartbroken. Greg was foundational to CBS, the straight-man with the light touch. He loved all the men and women of CBS; we were blessed with his rare humanity," added sportscaster Lesley Visser.

Emmy-winning producer Dan Forer shared a memorable anecdote about Gumbel in astatement on social media.

“Greg was the best announcer a young producer/director could have because he was extremely inclusive and never ever lost his cool — except for the time we were shooting a Super Bowl Anti-Drug PSA in the South Bronx at 2am and live gunfire erupted,” Forer’s post continued. “That was the only occasion Greg raised his voice and had a few choice words for me; which I deserved.”

Greg Gumbel was the older brother to broadcaster Bryant Gumbel, 76.

source: people.com