Following Friday’s announcement that famed broadcaster Greg Gumbel had died at age 78 after a battle with cancer, tributes to him poured in from across the sports world. This included commentary from broadcasters at Fox, NFL Network, ESPN and many other places.
However, Gumbel was best known for his two stints at CBS, from 1988 to 1994 and from 1998 to the present. He’s worked on everything from the NFL on CBS to March Madness to the Olympics to the NBA to MLB to college football and beyond. And this network released a very special tribute video for Gumbel on Saturday:
A pioneer.
A storyteller.
A friend.We mourn the loss of the legendary Greg Gumbel. pic.twitter.com/u3CU2fsDGM
– CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 28, 2024
CBS Sports also sent out statements from five notable executives and broadcasters regarding Gumbel. Here are the:
President and CEO David Berson: “The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a better gentleman on television. He was loved and respected by those of us who had the honor of calling him a friend and colleague. An outstanding broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sportswriting careers of all time. He was a familiar and welcoming voice for fans in many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four. 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 greatly and extend our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, his daughter Michelle and his entire family.”
Harold Bryant, executive producer and executive vice president of production: “Greg was a role model and a pioneer. As one of the few black broadcasters covering sports at the highest level, he has broken barriers. He set the bar high for others. His work was beyond reproach and he became one of the most respected broadcasters in the industry. Whether he was hosting play-by-play, in-studio hosting, or interviewing elite athletes, Greg was as smooth and trustworthy as can be. Greg loved his family, loved the Rolling Stones and loved CBS. He treated everyone with respect and gratitude. Greg – we will miss you.”
College basketball analyst Clark Kellogg: “For nearly 25 years, I have enjoyed and been blessed by Greg’s friendship, kindness, humor, partnership, professionalism and wisdom. He was outstanding in his work and exemplary in his care and character. Like everyone who knew and loved him, I am saddened by his death, but also so grateful to have known him in my life. What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner. My deepest condolences go out to the entire Gumbel family.”
NFL senior broadcaster Jim Nantz: “Greg Gumbel exuded royalty. He was as selfless a broadcaster as anyone in the industry has ever known. Our careers overlapped for nearly 35 years and he was the perfect teammate and friend. There isn’t a member of the CBS Sports family who doesn’t have a fond or friendly memory of Greg. I have so much love and respect for him and I will miss him very much.”
Trailblazing reporter Lesley Visser: “Everyone on sports TV is heartbroken. Greg was the cornerstone of CBS, the straight man with the light touch. He loved all the men and women of CBS; We were blessed with his rare humanity.”
CBS college basketball broadcaster Seth Davis, who worked with Gumbel on March Madness coverage for many years, also wrote a lengthy memoir at his Hoops headquarters. Here are some highlights from this article, which is worth reading in full:
There are some people we work with and are very close to. They are wonderful relationships that are professional yet intimate. Then there are the few who are our closest friends. We know everything about each other, even the really unpleasant secrets. It’s rare to find someone who populates both lists, but Greg Gumbel fit the bill for me. The same goes for Clark Kellogg. The three of us sat at that desk in Studio 43 for two decades and became brothers. I’d like to think viewers could tell.
…When Greg received difficult medical news late last year, the only thing he knew for certain was that he wanted to keep it secret. He didn’t want the attention, the excitement, the distraction of everyone knowing. “I have no illusions about it,” he told me as he began treatment. “We’ll try. Either it will work or it won’t.” For those who knew and loved him – and there are so many of us – his death leaves a void too great to contemplate. I hope my life will always be good, but it will never be as good without Greg.
I’ve known for some time that this day would probably come, but now that it’s here, I can hardly believe it. Greg leaves behind a legacy that is virtually unparalleled in the sports broadcasting industry. He has worked at multiple positions at the highest level, officiating Super Bowls and Final Fours and countless games in between. If you saw him on TV and thought, “He seems like a great guy,” then I’m here to tell you that you were right. You can’t stand in front of the camera for so many hours over so many years and hide who you really are. And even if you could, Greg would never have tried.
Because he knew that life is short and laughter is vital. He concluded that if you show up, do your best and treat people well, nothing else matters. He was a unique talent, a valued friend and the kindest man I have ever known.
May his memory be a blessing.
The many honors given to Gumbel demonstrate what a remarkable influence he had. And as these honors show, he will be sorely missed by many in the sports world, at CBS and beyond.
(CBS Sports on XHoops headquarters)
