Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78

FILE – Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders, left, and running back Michael Irvin (88) share the Vince Lombardi trophy as NBC commentator Greg Gumbel interviews the two after Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz., Sunday, Jan. 28, 1996. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin, File)

Longtime CBS sportscaster Greg Gumbel has died from cancer.

His family announced his death in a statement released by CBS on Friday.

In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues.

Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998.

Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties.

David Berson, the president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports.

Greg Gumbel was 78 years old.

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