Bryant Gumbel is leaving his position as the play-by-play voice of live games on NFL Network, it was announced today.Both parties said it was Gumbel's decision to step aside. Gumbel released the following statement through NFL Network:
"I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to call NFL Network games the past two years, which was a new experience for me," said Gumbel. "But we've agreed that we'd all be better served going in different directions. There are a lot of talented people at NFL Network. I thank them, I wish them well, and I have no doubt that they will be very successful going forward."NFL Network President and CEO Steve Bornstein released a statement calling Gumbel "One of the great broadcasters of our time." But he had never worked in play-by-play before he was tapped for NFL Network, and many viewers and critics thought he struggled to learn on the job.
NFL Network will begin looking for a replacement to call play-by-play on its eight live regular-season games immediately. Cris Collinsworth is expected to remain as the network's primary color commentator.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 14)
1. I am glad that Bryant Gumbel decided to leave. He is such an arrogant, know it all person. Not a very good personality. Bye Bye,
Posted at 5:22PM on Apr 11th 2008 by chuck cottter
2. Thank God.
Posted at 5:50PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Geoffrey Miller
3. This is the best thing that could have happened to the NFL Network. Gumble doesnt know the sport and came across that way.
Posted at 6:13PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Roger
4. Now just get rid of Tony Kornheiser
Posted at 6:15PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Steve
5. Bryant is good, very good, at what he does best, and play-by-play is not it. He is great at developing stories, handling interviews and doing in-depth stuff. The play-by-play format limits Bryant. It is contrary to his enormous and wonderful ego as it puts him in a box called the game - which is bigger than the announcer. Because he is a professional he did the best he could, but his best wasn't good enough to make him enjoyable as a game announcer. Good luck in the future Bryant. Surely you will land somewhere that suits your skills better than this narrow form.
Posted at 6:38PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Bill Perry
6. So long narcissist.
Posted at 6:59PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Superpower
7. Now if he will stay off!!! Maybe he could join Mouth Mussberger and trite Terrico and they could go on radio.
Posted at 7:21PM on Apr 11th 2008 by so71315
8. arrogance does not belong on any sports broadcast,
especially, when one know nothing about the sport.
now, if nbc had get the guts to remove oberman, we
could watch some of the stations we basically despise.
Posted at 7:26PM on Apr 11th 2008 by bbspply
9. I can't stomach Bryant Gumbel. He IS an arrogant ***! He talks and talks and wants to show us how much he thinks he knows. He's not a regular guy.
He's more interested in being a fashion plate.
Good riddance!!!
Posted at 7:27PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Robert
10. Good riddance to a liberal, big-mouthed fool, who thinks he's smarter than everybody else. The good news is he's gone, the bad, he'll rear his ugly head somewhere else.
Posted at 7:33PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Mike NB
11. What a jerk. Cant stand that no it all insecure jerkoff.
Posted at 7:34PM on Apr 11th 2008 by stevejohnita
12. Good riddance!
Posted at 7:37PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Bob
13. What a jerk. Cant stand that no it all insecure jerkoff.
Posted at 7:38PM on Apr 11th 2008 by stevejohnita
14. His brother Greg is much better. Goodbye Brian.
Posted at 7:38PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Don
15. GUMBLE SAID HE DIDN'T WATCH THE WINTER OLYMPICS BECAUSE IT'S JUST A BUNCH OF WHITE GUYS. LIKE A REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. HE GOT AWAY WITH A RACIST STATEMENT. GOOD RIDDANCE.
Posted at 7:39PM on Apr 11th 2008 by richard mohr
16. All I can say is "IT'S ABOUT TIME!" I finally began to mute the volume while watching a game he was commentating because he's so arrogant! The other commentators would be so bullied by him that they would rarely contradict Gumbel's assessment of a call or situation because HE would INSULT their intelligence! I'm glad he's gone. Now maybe we can listen to a knowledgable commentator who really knows the ins & outs of football.
Posted at 7:40PM on Apr 11th 2008 by LU
17. HOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! gumbel is such a moron. i'm so glad he's gone. now if only collinsworth would follow his lead... they are the biggest douchebags in the business... as much as i hate to say it, i'd much rather hear some of the guys from fox doing the nfl network games...
(oh yeah... and please do get rid of ALL the idiots on espn MNF)
Posted at 7:40PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Kevin
18. Bryant got hiself ultimatumized. Arrogance doesn't stretch that long or far. Careers requiring talent can be a very harsh challenge, especially when you lost what little you had.
Posted at 7:41PM on Apr 11th 2008 by geoff groedner
19. Best Wishes Bryant -
Its a blessing for you to have had this opportunity in network broadcasting. With each and every one opportunity, you become more talented. Good luck on your next endeavour! Note: don't get sidestep by the haters.
Posted at 7:42PM on Apr 11th 2008 by sado3
20. They got rid of the right Gumbel. Greg is the one to keep. Bryant needs to learn the difference between confidence and arrogance, but at this point in his career, I doubt that he can.
Posted at 7:43PM on Apr 11th 2008 by Jim