CBS Crew Gave Emotional Tributes for Greg Gumbel Ahead of Final Four

A heartwarming start to the Final Four.

Longtime CBS announcer Gumbel prior to the national championship game in the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The NCAA tournament and upcoming men's Final Four isn't the same without the longtime and legendary broadcaster Greg Gumbel, who died of cancer this past December. Selection Sunday began with a Gumbel tribute before the tournament kicked off and now, the Final Four begins the same way.

CBS prepared a heartwarming tribute video for Gumbel ahead of Saturday's Final Four matchups which pit Auburn against Florida and Houston against Duke. Many of Gumbel's colleagues—like Charles Barkley, Terry Bradshaw, Kenny Smith, Phil Simms and Dan Dierdorf—appeared to speak about the beloved broadcaster.

And there was a common theme of poking fun at Gumbel's joke-telling style. "He was the worst joke teller in the history of civilization," Barkley said to begin the video tribute on CBS.

There will simply never be another Greg Gumbel. pic.twitter.com/hvYe2k2SNI

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 5, 2025

Then, the CBS studio crew in San Antonio for the Final Four gave their own live tributes as emotions ran high. In a tough moment to find the right words, a choked up Ernie Johnson asked Clark Kellogg to speak about his colleague and friend.

"He was a great hang," Kellogg said during the CBS pregame show. "My boys ask me all the time when I play golf we somebody or spend time together, 'Dad, was he a good hang?' He was a platinum-level great hang. I miss him forever, but will remember him even more."

“He was a pro’s pro. It’s the best way I can say it.” - @TurnerSportsEJ

The crew reflects on their friend and colleague. pic.twitter.com/OAZNiQwrK3

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 5, 2025

Jay Wright, the longtime Villanova coach and current CBS Sports analyst, recalled Gumbel's voice as the "voice you wanted to hear" throughout his entire coaching career as Gumbel announced the March Madness field. And then Gumbel took Wright under his wing and mentored him during his transition to television.

The only way to kick off the Final Four.

dark. More. SI March Madness. Men's and Women's NCAA Tournament News, Features and Analysis

---

More March Madness on Sports Illustrated

manual