Greg Gumbel, Sportscasting Legend with Chicago Ties, Dies at 78
A Pioneering Career in Sports Broadcasting
Greg Gumbel, a renowned sportscaster with strong ties to Chicago, has passed away at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. The news was announced by his family and CBS, the network he worked with for over 20 years.
A Legacy of Love, Inspiration, and Dedication
Gumbel’s family released a statement saying, “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.” His wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel, also shared their sentiments, “He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain us all.”
A Career Spanning Over Five Decades
Gumbel’s journey in sports broadcasting began in 1973 when he started as a weekend sports anchor at WMAQ-TV, an NBC affiliate in Chicago. He later worked for ESPN and the Madison Square Garden network before returning to CBS in 1998, where he became the studio host for the network’s sports programming. In 2001, he made history by becoming the first Black announcer to call play-by-play of a major sports championship, Super Bowl 35.
A Chicago Native and Loras College Graduate
Born and raised in Chicago, Gumbel graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a degree in English. Initially, he planned to become an English teacher, but his brother, Bryant Gumbel, who hosted NBC’s “Today” show and “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” on HBO, encouraged him to pursue a career in sportscasting.
Award-Winning Career and Philanthropic Efforts
Throughout his career, Gumbel won numerous local Emmy Awards and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. He was also involved with various charitable organizations, including the March of Dimes and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where he served as a member of the board of trustees for 16 years.
Personal Reflections from Colleagues and Friends
Veteran NBC 5 anchor and reporter Art Norman, who was a close friend of Gumbel, shared his thoughts on the late sportscaster, “He was a guy that when I was going through my cancer battle, he was a big supporter of me, and I’m still a big supporter of him.” Veteran NBC 5 anchor and political reporter Carol Marin described Gumbel as a sports guy who could talk about anything else, “The mark of a really great sports guy is he’s literate on a lot of subjects and knows how to weed through them.”
Frequently Asked Questions
* What was Greg Gumbel’s age at the time of his passing?
+ 78
* How long did Gumbel work for CBS?
+ Over 20 years
* What was Gumbel’s most notable achievement in sports broadcasting?
+ He became the first Black announcer to call play-by-play of a major sports championship, Super Bowl 35
* What were some of Gumbel’s philanthropic efforts?
+ He was involved with the March of Dimes and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, serving as a member of the board of trustees for 16 years.
