March Madness began with its usual excitement, but this year, something feels different. As eyes turned to Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal, one familiar voice— that of Greg Gumbel was notably absent. The news that broke last December was a tough moment for college basketball fans everywhere. Cancer may have taken him from us, but his presence and legacy will always be felt. Without him, the Road to the Final Four will never quite be the same. While CBS paid tribute to the iconic broadcaster in their way, Ernie Johnson took a moment before the show began to share a heartfelt piece of poetry in his memory that will surely ring all those iconic calls we’ve loved and admired.
Looking at Charles Barkley alongside Ernie Johnson, the nostalgia screams out. “John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals,” Gumble called back in 1997, a play that threads Barkley with the commentator eternally. It was Barkley who saw Stockton’s shot that day flying over his head, leaving him in despair. That was something Barkley again felt today when Ernie Johnson presented the pain-stricken tribute, but this time for a very different reason.
Before the lights flashed on the TNT studio, Ernie Johnson’s deep voice echoed, “We’re on the road to the final four, with the strains of the Rolling Stones in our New York Studio 43. And there’s a very good reason for that.” In his signature style, the 68-year-old then greeted his audience with a warm, “good afternoon,” and honored the tournament’s beloved broadcaster with a beautiful note.
“Nobody loved the Stones more than Greg Gumbel,” Ernie said. “And a year ago at this time, we were waiting on a friend to return. We knew he was missing March Madness, an event for which his name is synonymous, for personal reasons. Just after Christmas, we learned that cancer had taken his life. We were crushed. A void was left that will never be filled. We wear his pin on our jackets, and we carry his memory in our hearts. Here with Charles Barkley and Penny Smith, Clark Kellogg. It’s heavy in here.”
March Madness begins with Ernie Johnson and the studio crew remembering Greg Gumbel. pic.twitter.com/SOi2qgngWY
— Diservations (@diservations) March 20, 2025
Ernie’s words could resonate with the viewers around the country any further. With all the emotions flooding back, social media (X) soon turned into a gathering of remembrance for their beloved Gumble. And for the bittersweet reminder of what could have in the March Madness, Ernie Johnson once again received the flowers he deserves.
America breaks down as Ernie Johnson delivers emotional tribute
One fan commented, “Man, I wasn’t expecting to start crying watching the beginning of March Madness. A beautiful tribute to Greg Gumbel by Ernie Johnson.” Fans tuned in to see the college basketball players bring their best to the showdown. Little did they know, they’d be wiping tears from their eyes instead.
Man, I wasnt expecting to start crying watching the beginning of March Madness. A beautiful tribute to Greg Gumbel by Ernie Johnson.
— D.J. (@Indycardj32) March 20, 2025
“Ernie Johnson brought a tear to my eye. Beautiful start to the day,” another fan wrote. The TNT analyst’s tribute deeply impacted the fans. But they felt it was a beautiful start to the day, by remembering the voice behind their cherished tournament.
Someone stated, “Damn, Ernie Johnson hitting us in the feels right from the start.” Like many others, this fan didn’t hesitate to share how Ernie’s poem made them feel emotional. The tribute was indeed powerful and would touch everyone deeply, just like Ernie’s past heartwarming poems.
“Ernie Johnson, you beautiful soul,” read one of the comments. Having gone through his battle with cancer, Ernie understands how tough the fight must have been for Gumbel. His words came straight from the heart, and that’s what made fans connect with them so deeply.
An X user wrote, “This is a perfect tribute but Ernie Johnson making us cry at 12:02 isn’t what I expected.” No one saw it coming. They were expecting some talks about the hardwood actions when the tribute popped up, touching their hearts. The fan made it clear that nothing could top the heartfelt tribute Ernie gave to Gumbel.
The post March Madness: TNT’s Ernie Johnson Makes America Cry In Emotional Tribute After Losing Greg Gumbel To Cancer appeared first on EssentiallySports.