LEGENDARY sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died of cancer at the age of 78.
The star was well-loved for his work hosting coverage from The NFL Today to various Super Bowls and even the Olympic Games.
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His wife Marcy and daughter Michelle confirmed the sad news in a joint statement released by CBS Sports.
The heartbroken pair said: “He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer.
“Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace and positivity.
“He leaves behind a legacy of love inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten.”
Gumbel was a legendary play-by-play announcer and studio host for CBS Sports after previously spending years on-air for NBC Sports.
Only two years ago he celebrated his 50th year of broadcasting.
The president and CEO of CBS Sports David Berson paid tribute to Gumbel, saying: “The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel.
“There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television.
“He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague.”
He added: “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time.
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“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.”
Gumbel was born in New Orleans in May 1946 and grew up in Chicago.
His younger brother, Bryant Gumbel, also reached stardom in broadcasting as host of NBC’s Today Show and Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO.
The late Gumbel joined CBS Sports in 1989 after serving years of play-play duties for New York Knicks basketball and New York Yankees baseball for the Madison Square Garden Network.
He also hosted three other MSGN programs which got the star a local Emmy award.
Gumbel also worked for ESPN, WMAQ-TV Chicago, where he earned two local Emmys, and WFAN Radio in New York.
The NFL Today was hosted by the legend from 1990-1093 and 2004-2005.
Gumbel also served as the main anchor of CBS Sports’ coverage of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.
He was also a co-anchor of the network’s weekday morning broadcasts of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games.
In 1994 he joined NBC Sports for four years, hosting various Super Bowl pre-game shows and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
And for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games, Gumbel hosted NBC’s daytime coverage.
He returned to CBS Sports in 1998.
Gumbel was a fan of the March of Dimes and for 16 years was a member of the Sports Council for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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