There is some depressing news from the sporting world today.
Legendary broadcaster Greg Gumbel died at the age of 78.
Gumbel’s wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel, released a statement announcing his passing.
The Cause of Death of Greg Gumbel Was Known
Today, the family announced that Gumbel had died following a fight with cancer.
“After a valiant fight with cancer, he went away quietly surrounded by much affection,” the statement said. Greg handled his illness with the composure, dignity, and optimism that one would anticipate.
“His famous voice will never be forgotten, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration, and dedication to almost 50 remarkable years in the sports broadcast industry,” the Gumbels told CBS Sports.
Gumbel’s absence from his first NCAA tournament since 1997 in March served as the first public sign of his sickness.
Gumbel blamed his absence on “family health reasons,” according to ESPN.
An Iconic Career
Gumbel broke down barriers and became associated with some of the biggest events in the sports world during his 50-year career.
When he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS in 2001, he became the first Black broadcaster to provide play-by-play commentary at a major US sporting event.
In a statement released to ESPN today, David Berson, the president and CEO of CBS Sports, praised Gumbel.
“Greg conducted one of the most amazing and innovative sports broadcasting careers of all time. He was a fantastic broadcaster and a terrific storyteller,” Berson added.
Along with his wife and daughter, Greg Gumbel also left behind a number of siblings, including Bryant Gumbel, another broadcaster.
We are sending our condolences to the entire Gumbel clan during this trying period.
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