Sports World mourns Greg Gumbel’s death

Sports World mourns Greg Gumbel’s death

Greg Gumbel’s loved ones and fans are sending their condolences after his family announced that the longtime CBS Sports broadcaster has died at the age of 78.

Gumbel, who previously worked for NBC Sports and was the older brother of former TODAY co-anchor Bryant Gumbel, “died peacefully, surrounded by much love, after a courageous battle with cancer,” his wife Marcy and daughter Michelle said in a statement Expression.

Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers
Greg Gumbel during a 1990 NFC divisional playoff game.George Rose/Getty Images

In light of the news, sportscaster Jim Nantz said he will greatly miss his colleague, whom he described as “broadcasting royalty.”

“He was as selfless a broadcaster as anyone in the industry has ever known,” Nantz said. “Our careers overlapped for nearly 35 years and he was the perfect teammate and friend.”

“I have so much love and respect for him and I will miss him very much,” he added.

CBS Sports' "The NFL on CBS" Media day
“The NFL On CBS” announcers include Greg Gumbel, Dan Marino, Dan Dierdorf, Marcus Allen, Jim Nantz, Jill Arrington and Lesley Visser.Evan Agostini/Getty Images

David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, said the network was “devastated” by the news.

“There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television,” he said in a statement. “He was loved and respected by those of us who had the honor of calling him a friend and colleague.”

“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,” he added. “We will miss Greg greatly and extend our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, his daughter Michelle and his entire family.”

On

“He spent over 50 years in sports broadcasting – as one of the original studio hosts and in the broadcast booth for the NFL, March Madness and more. Cookie and I are praying for his wife Marcy, his daughter Michelle, his brother Bryant and the “We are helping the entire Gumbel family during this difficult time,” he said.

CBS college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg spoke about Gumbel’s personality, saying he was “richly 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,” he said.

Sports anchor Lesley Visser noted that she was “heartbroken” because “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.”

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