Longtime CBS broadcaster Greg Gumbel died of cancer on Friday at age 78. Although he covered a variety of sports during his 50 years on television – including the NBA, MLB, the Olympics and college basketball – Gumbel is perhaps best known for his work as a play-by-play announcer and studio host for NFL Games known.

On Sunday, the Week 17 NFL pregame shows offered the first opportunity for Gumbel’s former colleagues – many of whom worked directly with him – to publicly express condolences and pay tribute to a much-loved TV personality.

Fox’s Terry Bradshaw began his career as a studio analyst with Gumbel on CBS’ “The NFL Today” in 1990, and the two worked together for four years.

“I can actually say I owe my pre-game career to Greg Gumbel,” Bradshaw said on “Fox NFL Sunday.” “We spent four years with him and became really good friends. A funny guy, loved the Rolling Stones, had a great sense of humor and he taught me so much about that show that I missed him for so many years.”

Of course, CBS dedicated a notable portion of “The NFL Today” to Gumbel, putting together a package of highlights from the network’s long career at the network.

Gumbel first hosted the show from 1990 to 1993 before moving to NBC when CBS lost its NFL broadcast rights. But he returned to the station in 1998 and named play-by-play to the No. 1 broadcast team with analyst Phil Simms. He called two Super Bowls (XXXV and XXXVIII), becoming the first black broadcaster to do so. In 2004, he moved to studio host, alternating with Jim Nantz.

“On the air, he was kind, trustworthy and ego-free – just as he would be if you were lucky enough to know him off the air,” Nantz said during his Week 17 show. “In a chance meeting with Greg Gumbel would be said to be one of the best men you have ever met.”

After the tribute to Gumbel aired on CBS, the current hosts of “The NFL Today” shared their memories of Gumbel.

“He lit up every room he walked into. He made you feel special,” Bill Cowher said. “There was something about that crooked little grin that could make you feel like something else, that could make you feel like you were better than you really were.”

“A legendary career in front of the camera. “But what he was off camera will help define him for people who don’t know him personally,” added Nate Burleson. “A few years ago, he tracked down my number and occasionally texted me when I reached personal and professional milestones.

“I have no shortage of men who are mentors and friends, but he was immediately put on the list of father figures,” he continued. “I was so happy when I got his text. I ran home like a kid and said to my wife, ‘Greg texted me and told me he was proud of me.’ And that meant the world to me.

After hosting the pregame show for two seasons, Gumbel returned to the booth, hosting games with Dan Dierdorf and then Trent Green. His other game broadcast partners included Bruce Arians, Rich Gannon and Adam Archuleta.

Green paid tribute to Gumbel during his Saturday show on NFL Network alongside Jamie Erdahl and Kevin Harlan.

“I had the privilege of working with him in the NFL locker room for six seasons,” Green said of Awful Anncreasing. “As incredible as he was as a presenter, he was an even better person. He just impacted the lives of everyone he touched.”