Greg Gumbel, a sports activities broadcaster for CBS for greater than 20 years who coated the NFL and school basketball, died Friday of most cancers. He was 78.

CBS Sports activities shared a press release from his spouse Marcy and daughter Michelle Gumbel, who mentioned, “It’s with profound unhappiness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He handed away peacefully surrounded by a lot love after a brave battle with most cancers. Greg approached his sickness like one would anticipate he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity. He leaves behind a legacy of affection, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years within the sports activities broadcast trade; and his iconic voice won’t ever be forgotten. Greg’s reminiscence will perpetually be treasured by his household, dearest mates, colleagues and all who beloved him.”

The older brother of TV newsman Bryant Gumbel, Greg Gumbel began out at a neighborhood Chicago station earlier than becoming a member of ESPN in 1979, the 12 months it launched. He anchored “SportsCenter” and did play-by-play for NBA video games. He earned a neighborhood Emmy Award for internet hosting programming for the Madison Sq. Backyard Community. In 1989, he moved to CBS Sports activities, the place he introduced NFL and school basketball video games and hosted “The NFL Right this moment.”

Gumbel moved briefly to NBC, then returned to CBS and have become a part of the online’s March Insanity protection and introduced NFL video games. Earlier this 12 months, he stepped away from his March Insanity protection at CBS.

Born in New Orleans, he grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras Faculty.

David Berson, president of CBS Sports activities, mentioned in a press release, “The CBS Sports activities household is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has by no means been a finer gentleman in all of tv. He was beloved and revered by these of us who had the consideration to name him a pal and colleague. An amazing broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the crucial exceptional and groundbreaking sports activities broadcasting careers of all time. He was a well-known and welcoming voice for followers throughout many sports activities, together with the NFL and March Insanity, highlighted by the Tremendous Bowl and Remaining 4. Greg broke boundaries and set the usual for others to comply with. It’s an especially unhappy day for all of us at CBS Sports activities and all the sports activities neighborhood. We are going to miss Greg dearly, and ship our deepest condolences to his spouse Marcy, daughter Michelle, and his complete household.”

His pal and former co-worker, producer Dan Forer, wrote on X, “The vacations are imagined to be crammed with pleasure, however they’re usually combined with sorrow. I simply discovered that my pricey pal Greg Gumbel has handed. Greg was the most effective announcer a younger producer/director might have… Along with being a real skilled he was a sort, magnificent man. Might his reminiscence be a treasured blessing for his household and mates.”