Greg Gumbel, the longtime sports broadcaster who became synonymous with March Madness and called two Super Bowls, died at the age of 78, his family said Friday.
Gumbel died “after a courageous battle with cancer,” his wife Marcy and daughter Michelle said in a statement released through CBS Sports.
“Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace and positivity,” they said. “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 has passed away at the age of 78.
Forever a legendary March Madness voice. pic.twitter.com/XXNlIl01rP
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 27, 2024
Gumbel’s career with CBS began in 1988 as a part-time NFL broadcaster. He began announcing college basketball in 1989 and became the host of “The NFL Today” studio show in 1990. After joining NBC from 1994 to 1998, where he hosted “The NFL on NBC” and daytime coverage of the 1996 Olympics, Gumbel returned to CBS in 1998 — becoming the voice of the studio show for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and rejoining its NFL coverage.
Gumbel called Super Bowls in 2001 and 2004, making him the first network…
