For countless mornings (give or take) behind the desk at NBC's "Today" show, Bryant Gumbel made history, with his first "Good morning" in 1982. Taking over from Tom Brokaw on "Today," he became the first Black man to host a morning network news program. Prior to this, Gumbel had already established himself in the world of sports, earning the nickname "Never Stumble Gumbel."
And just as flawlessly, he seamlessly transitioned to news, always impeccably prepared and dressed to impress.
I asked Gumbel, "On a scale of one to 10, working with me was..."
"Nine."
"No!"
"Yeah, because you were always you, and I love that," he said.
"Why not a 10 then?"
"Because of consistency," Gumbel smiled.
"My slipshod style of preparation, for someone like you, must have been annoying?"
"No, no, not annoying, because I never – it's funny you say that. I never expected others to do things the way I did them."
He exuded an effortless polish, with meticulous attention to every detail of his wardrobe and meticulously color-coded notes. But behind that facade lies a story: "I always thought to myself, you know what? I may not be the handsome guy. I may not be the popular guy. I may not be the big guy. But I can be the guy who excels in the little things. I can be the guy who knows how to order food in a restaurant. I can be the guy who knows how to dress. I'm well aware that I hold myself to higher standards than I do others. I am exceedingly demanding of one Bryant Gumbel, but not of anyone else."
That's not to say he was "easy-going." He admitted, "I was like the prickly cactus in the garden."
"Yeah, you were prickly!" I chimed in.
Nevertheless, the garden flourished, and the ratings for "Today" soared. Gumbel landed major interviews with influential figures of the time – although sometimes he himself became the subject of news. With the wisdom that comes with age and hindsight, he now reflects on this: "I've said a lot of foolish things that, as a 75-year-old looking back, make me think, 'Wow, how could I have said that?' So, um, I apologize."
The majority of the drama unfolded outside the studio, and after hosting "Today" for 15 years, he made the move to CBS News and primetime.
He stated, "When things appear to be at their most chaotic, I tend to remain calm. I have a lot of faith in myself, that much is evident."
He attributes this to his father. Gumbel grew up in Chicago, the youngest of four siblings (including the renowned sportscaster Greg Gumbel). His father, Richard Gumbel, served as a probate court judge in Cook County, Illinois during the 1960s, a time when having a Black man on the bench was a rarity.
Despite the passing of Judge Gumbel at the age of 52, his influence continues to be felt. Bryant shared, "When people ask me how I define myself, I say, 'I'm my father's son, that's who I am. Deep down, that's who I am. That's all I ever aspired to be.'"
Earlier this year, Gumbel was recognized at the 44th annual Sports Emmys, where he expressed his gratitude for his father: "I had the greatest role model in my dad. Judge Richard Gumbel taught me about integrity, dedication, self-assurance, curiosity, and the power of belief in oneself."
Gumbel was honored with a lifetime achievement award, and his show, "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO, has received numerous accolades: 37 Emmys, as well as duPont and Peabody Awards.
When questioned about the title of the show, "Real Sports," Gumbel explained, "Because at a certain point in life, I believe we should shift our focus from how athletes impact the game to how the game impacts the athletes."
"Real Sports" presents sports in a unique way, through the lens of critical journalism. Gumbel expressed his satisfaction, stating, "Thankfully, we have been able to make a positive impact."
Baseball games have become safer with the implementation of netting to protect spectators from foul balls. This measure was taken after numerous incidents of people getting maimed or hurt by foul balls. Now, netting can be seen all over the place in every baseball game.
Another topic that has sparked debate is brain injuries in football. The extent to which concussions are a concern in the sport has been a long-standing issue. It has raised questions about the safety of players and the future of the game.
However, this fall brought the news that the long-running show "Real Sports" would be coming to an end. After 29 seasons, the final episode is set to premiere this week.
So, what led to this decision? According to Bryant Gumbel, the host of the show, it was simply a matter of his contract ending and him questioning whether he wanted to continue for another three years. After careful consideration, he realized that his heart wouldn't be fully invested in the show anymore. He is at peace with this decision and is ready to move on.
Gumbel, who was known for his sometimes prickly demeanor, has mellowed over the years. He plans to spend quality time with his wife, Hilary, as well as his children and grandchildren. And maybe, just maybe, he'll have more time for golf, a sport he enjoys.
When asked if he had any other career aspirations, Gumbel responded, "Only a fool says never. So, I would never say never again, but I'm not actively looking for another chapter, I'm really not."
In his fantasy life, Gumbel ponders whether he would have played with a band or pursued a career as a professional golfer.
"No. You know what? This is going to sound very pollyannaish: I've kind of lived my fantasy life. I really have. And if you had told me when I was in high school in Chicago, what I would do with my life, I would've said, I'll sign up for that in a heartbeat. That's my fantasy life, and I'm okay with it."
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Story produced by Amol Mhatre. Editor: Remington Korper.
