Greg Gumbel was a trailblazer in sports broadcasting, his influence stretching far beyond just the networks he worked with.
He passed away on Friday at the age of 78.
Tributes poured in from across the sports media landscape, with figures like Jimmy Pitaro and Chris Berman, among many others, honoring the legendary broadcaster. Known for his work at ESPN, WFAN, CBS and MSG, Gumbel’s impact as both a play-by-play announcer and studio host resonated deeply with the masses — even his competition.
As news of his passing on Friday sent shockwaves through the sports media world, what is often a cutthroat business transformed into something else.
Gus Johnson and Mike Hill also paid tribute on Fox — a network that Gumbel never worked for. If you needed a testament to the deep admiration Gumbel earned from all corners of the industry, there are a couple right there.
During the second quarter of Friday’s Holiday Bowl between Syracuse and Washington State, Johnson carved out time to pay tribute to Gumbel.
“Before we go to break, we have to pass along some really sad news,” said Johnson prior to the two-minute timeout. “Legendary broadcaster Greg Gumbel passed away today at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer. In a career that spanned over 50 years, Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow. He is the first and only African American to call the Super Bowl.
“He is survived by his wife, [Marcy], his daughter, [Michelle] and his brother, Bryant.”
Gus Johnson pays tribute to Greg Gumbel.
“In a career that spanned over 50 years, Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow.”pic.twitter.com/47GfyCSMYv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 28, 2024
Hill also took a moment to reflect on Gumbel’s passing, sharing his heartfelt thoughts.
“We have some sad news in the world of sports and television: Greg Gumbel, who spent more than five decades in sports broadcasting, has passed away due to cancer,” said Hill. “Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, was a pioneer in the business. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl 35 for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play for a major sports championship.
“Greg Gumbel was 78 years old.”
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About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.