Born on May 3, 1946, Gregory Girard Gumbel is a legendary American television sportscaster whose name is deeply tied to the world of CBS Sports. As a seasoned broadcaster, he made history by becoming the first African-American announcer to call a National Football League championship game on a network in the United States, delivering the play-by-play for Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. That moment stuck with me personally—it felt like a turning point not just in sports, but in representation on national airwaves.
From covering the NFL to anchoring men’s college basketball during the intense NCAA tournaments, Gumbel brought unmatched professionalism. Between 2001 and 2023, he remained a reliable studio host, guiding viewers through some of the most unforgettable major sports moments. Even as he signed off on December 27, 2024, his impact as an influential figure in sports journalism and broadcasting was already cemented.
Biography of Greg Gumbel: A Unique Beginning
Greg Gumbel, born Gregory Gumbel in 1946, came into the world in New Orleans, Louisiana, a place rich in culture and history. Though he was born in the South, Greg grew up in Chicago, specifically on the South Side, where his life began to take shape. He was raised Catholic, a strong influence throughout his youth. Greg attended and later graduated from De La Salle Institute in 1967. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loras College, where he also played baseball—a passion that hints at his future in sports broadcasting.
Greg comes from a deeply rooted and diverse family. His mother Rhea Alice LeCesne and father Richard Gumbel raised him alongside his sisters, Renee Gumbel-Farrahi and Rhonda Gumbel-Thomas, and his younger brother Bryant, who also made his mark in network television. Their paternal great-great-grandfather was a German-Jewish emigrant from Albisheim, which adds a unique cultural thread to their family’s story. Being a young man growing up surrounded by family ambition and cultural pride clearly shaped Greg’s confidence and charisma. His journey into broadcasting wasn’t just a career—it was a natural path influenced by his roots, his education, and the family he admired.
Greg Gumbel: A Voice That Changed the Game
A Tribute That Truly Represented a Legend
During this year’s NCAA Tournament, the CBS Selection Show opened with a heartfelt tribute to legendary broadcaster Greg Gumbel. It wasn’t just a segment—it was a deeply personal moment. As the camera panned across the CBS studio, every member of the production crew wore Rolling Stones shirts, not just for show, but to represent Gumbel’s favorite band. The Rolling Stones song playing softly in the background made the tribute feel emotional, genuine, and beautifully timed. As someone who’s worked behind the scenes in sports media, I can tell you—this kind of carefully crafted production doesn’t just happen. It reflects true admiration and respect.
Greg Gumbel, now 78, began his career at WMAQ-TV in Chicago and made a lasting impact from his early days. He was one of the original anchors at ESPN, joining in 1981 to host SportsCenter, before moving through networks like MSG Network, NBC, and finally CBS. His voice became a part of every major moment in college basketball and beyond. In fact, he made history as the first Black person to call play-by-play for a major American sports championship, covering Super Bowl XXXV in 2001—a huge achievement.
Throughout his long career, Gumbel covered almost every sport imaginable, but his presence during the NCAA Tournament was always special. Though he officially retired from NFL coverage in 2022, it wasn’t until 2024 that he quietly stepped away from college basketball broadcasting. His decision came after being diagnosed with cancer, and he chose to focus on his family and personal health issues. While he hasn’t died, the way CBS honored him made it feel like a moment to explain the weight of his absence. His colleagues made sure his presence was still felt, even if he wasn’t in the studio.
As someone who’s watched March Madness for years, that show felt different. The mix of sports and soul in that Selection Show reminded me that broadcasting is more than just stats and scores—it’s about the people who bring those stories to life. And Greg Gumbel was one of the best to ever do it.
Greg Gumbel: A Voice That Defined March Madness
Honoring a Legend Beyond the Broadcast
The CBS studio in San Antonio felt different this year—quieter, more emotional, and a little less whole. As the Final Four approached, the air wasn’t just buzzing with excitement for March Madness, but also with something deeper: respect, gratitude, and love for Greg Gumbel, the legendary broadcaster whose presence shaped the rhythm of the NCAA tournament for decades. The CBS Sports team knew this was a moment they’d remember—and they weren’t about to let it pass without saying something special.
Charles Barkley, always known for poking fun, turned serious—well, mostly. He still couldn’t resist calling Greg the “worst joke teller in modern civilization,” his smile betraying the affection behind the jab. Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson added their voices, blending heartfelt admiration with laughter over Greg’s famously dry joke-telling style. It was a video tribute stitched together not only with stories but with sincere emotions, showing how much of a mentor, friend, and colleague Greg had been to so many.
The pregame show took on a different tone, with Clark Kellogg describing Greg as a “platinum-level human being.” “He’s not just a broadcaster,” Kellogg said, “he’s a great hang—one of the boys, whether we’re talking basketball or playing golf.” And that’s what set Gumbel apart. He brought a kind of warmth and rhythm that couldn’t be trained. It came naturally, from years of being in the studio and on the ground, from Selection Sunday to the closing buzzer of the championship.
Even Jay Wright, former Villanova coach turned CBS analyst, reflected on his own transition from coaching to television, crediting Greg’s calm demeanor and sharp insights as a kind of guiding light. “It’s one thing to be knowledgeable,” Wright said, “but to have Gumbel’s voice—steady, clear, trusted—is something else entirely. He made it look easy, even when it wasn’t.”
Others like Terry Bradshaw, Phil Simms, and Dan Dierdorf—all giants in their own right—shared stories of how Greg balanced sharp professionalism with genuine camaraderie. Whether covering Auburn, Florida, Duke, or Houston, he treated every game with care, every moment with dignity. Through laughter, a few tears, and some truly awful jokes, the CBS crew made it clear: Greg Gumbel isn’t just a figure in sports broadcasting—he’s part of its soul. And though December will feel colder without him in the studio, what he built will stay with them, and with us, always.
A Quiet Goodbye During a Loud Moment
Right before the iconic One Shining Moment played to close out the 2025 NCAA Tournament, something was quietly different on the CBS broadcast. As the national championship confetti fell and fans celebrated across the country, a more emotional tone settled in the studio. Ernie Johnson, sitting under the bright lights, took a deep breath and offered a heartfelt tribute to the one man missing from the crew—his longtime colleague, the beloved Greg Gumbel.
Greg’s presence had always brought a kind of calm to the chaos of March Madness. From the Round of 64 all the way to the final bracket showdown, his voice became a steady companion to millions of fans. Having joined CBS in 1988 as a part-time announcer, Greg moved through the ranks to become the trusted face of the tournament, also hosting The NFL Today from 1990-93, before a brief move to NBC in 1994 when CBS lost the rights to the NFL and MLB. He later returned in 1998, just in time to host Super Bowl XXXII. His resume read like a timeline of sports history.
But in 2023, Greg missed the tournament for personal reasons, quietly stepping away for family health issues. Then, on a cold December morning, we learned he had died after battling cancer, leaving a deep void in the hearts of his friends, fans, and fellow CBS broadcasters. The event shook those who had worked with him, many of whom were still crushed by the news during that year’s tournament.
In a touching moment, Ernie’s tribute played out as a soft video package featuring photos and behind-the-scenes clips of Greg — laughing with the crew, tossing to commercial, and chatting just off camera. As the Rolling Stones’ “Waiting on a Friend,” Greg’s favorite song from his favorite band, played in the background, Ernie’s voice nearly cracked. This wasn’t just another signing off; it was a quiet goodbye. “He’s not just missing from this desk,” Ernie said, “he’s missing from our lives.”
The studio was changed in small, tender ways. Special pins and jackets with the iconic CBS logo were worn in Greg’s honor. On Selection Sunday, a day he had hosted countless times, the absence was sharp. Even the shirts worn by on-air personalities were more subdued — not flashy, just sincere. It was a clear sign of love and respect for a man who had become an icon, a cornerstone of CBS’s tournament coverage.
He was synonymous with this time of year — from the air of excitement on opening day to the final exclamation point when the nets came down. Greg had a way of turning that three-week sprint into something familiar and comforting. He wasn’t just the face you saw on your screen; he was the voice behind the bracket, the steady hand tossing us from highlight to highlight, always with poise.
Now, with his seat empty, the tradition feels changed. But as the Stones rolled softly behind Ernie’s final words, it wasn’t about what we’d lost, but what we’d been lucky to have. “Greg Gumbel wasn’t just a broadcaster,” Ernie said, “he was our friend.” And in that moment, just before the last logo faded from screen, his memory felt truly loved.
