NFL
CBS sports host Greg Gumbel passes away: what did he die of?
The sports broadcaster blazed a trail for African Americans but lost his battle with the disease over the Christmas period.

Greg Gumbel, a legendary sports broadcaster for CBS Sports, has passed away at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer. His family announced his peaceful death on Friday
Gumbel was a pioneering figure in sports media, becoming the first African-American announcer to call play-by-play for a major sports championship when he announced Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. Throughout his extraordinary 50-year career, he became an iconic voice in sports broadcasting, covering everything from the NFL and NCAA basketball to the Olympic Games.
David Berson, president & CEO of CBS Sports, praised Gumbel as “a tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller.”
“Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time”, Berson continued. “He was a familiar and welcoming voice for fans across many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four.”
Life of Greg Gumbel
Born on May 3, 1946, in New Orleans, Greg Gumbel did not immediately pursue broadcasting. After graduating from Loras College with an English degree in 1967, he initially worked in hospital supplies sales.
His broadcasting career began in 1973 when his brother Bryant encouraged him to audition as a sports announcer at WMAQ-TV in Chicago.
Gumbel’s career included stints at ESPN, MSG Network, and eventually CBS Sports, where he became a prominent figure. He hosted The NFL Today and served as a play-by-play announcer for NFL games and NCAA basketball tournaments. His professional journey was marked by multiple Emmy Awards.
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