Legendary sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies at 78

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 01: Sportscaster Greg Gumbel is interviewed prior to the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four at NRG Stadium on April 1, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES - Legendary sportscaster Greg Gumbel has died at the age of 78.

According to a statement released by Gumbel’s family via CBS Sports, the longtime broadcaster had been battling cancer.

Below is a statement released by Gumbel’s family:

Gumbel was often the face and the voice of NFL games and during college basketball's March Madness tournaments. You may have heard his voice when he did the play-by-play broadcast of NFL games or may have seen his face when he was a studio host during college basketball's annual Selection Sunday shows. 

Gumbel made history in 2001 by becoming the first Black announcer in the Super Bowl.

Greg Gumbel was the older brother of fellow sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, who was the host of "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO.