'The NFL Today' pregame show airs touching Greg Gumbel tribute

The world of sports broadcasting lost a legend recently, as Greg Gumbel passed away from cancer at the age of 78 years old. News of his passing immediately had an extensive number of tributes from his colleagues and co-workers over the years. Gumbel was one of the more beloved and respected broadcasters in the industry. Sunday, on ‘The NFL Today’ pregame show, they aired a touching tribute to Gumbel.

Fox's Curt Menefee shares an update about the death of former President Jimmy Carterpic.twitter.com/LoDfOxQdps

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 29, 2024

More on Greg Gumbel’s accomplished life and career

Gumbel initially joined CBS in 1988 as a part-time announcer and later hosted The NFL Today from 1990-93. He then left the network to join NBC in 1994 after CBS lost the rights to the NFL and MLB, but returned in 1998 following Super Bowl XXXII. That’s when he became the host for the NCAA Tournament, anchoring March Madness coverage.

Gumbel remained in that role as March Madness host while also serving as a play-by-play broadcaster for NFL games. He missed the 2024 NCAA Tournament, meaning the 2023 tournament marked his final March Madness on the desk.

Gumbel began his career in Chicago at WMAQ-TV in 1973 before joining ESPN in 1979 as a reporter and anchor while also doing play-by-play. He then spent a year with MSG covering the New York Yankees in 1988 before latching on at CBS as a college basketball play-by-play broadcaster in 1989. He added The NFL Today in 1990.

Gumbel covered multiple notable events during his career, including the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics. He also served as the No. 2 play-by-play broadcaster for MLB and NBA games at NBC, and he called the College World Series for CBS from 1990-94 and 2000-02. Gumbel also called Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII for CBS before swapping roles with Jim Nantz.

Gumbel was a staple of CBS’ Selection Sunday shows as the host, announcing each team with its respective seed in the bracket. Ernie Johnson took his seat in 2024.

On3’s Nick Schultz and Grant Grubbs also contributed to this report.