Greg Gumbel, legendary sports broadcaster, dead at age 78

On By Littum

Greg Gumbel, a longtime sportscaster who called the NFL for CBS for decades and served as the studio’s host during the NCAA Tournament, has reportedly died, Emmy-winning producer Dan Forer wrote on Facebook Friday.

Gumbel lived to be 78 years old.

No cause of death was revealed.

Greg Gumbel is pictured before the Final Four during the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Getty Images
Greg Gumbel is pictured in 1994 ahead of the Winter Olympics. CBS via Getty Images

“Holidays should be filled with joy, but they are often mixed with sadness,” Forer wrote. “I just learned that my dear friend Greg Gumbel has passed away. Greg was the best announcer a young producer/director could have because he was extremely inclusive and never lost his temper – except when we were shooting a Super Bowl Anti -Drug PSA in the South Bronx It was the only occasion Greg raised his voice and had a few choice words for me; which I deserved.

“In addition to being a true professional, he was a kind, magnificent man. May his memory be a treasured blessing to his family and friends.”

Terry Bradshaw, sportscaster Greg Gumbel and Jay Leno, left to right, are pictured in 1994. NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Gumbel missed last year’s NCAA tournament because of “family health issues,” The Athletic reported at the time.