Gumbel gives up NFL gig; network, announcer 'better served'

LOS ANGELES -- Bryant Gumbel has given up his role as an NFL Network play-by-play announcer after two seasons.

The NFL Network said Friday it was looking for a new play-by-play announcer to work with Cris Collinsworth on the network's Thursday and Saturday night games.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to call NFL Network games the past two years, which was a new experience for me," Gumbel said in a statement. "But we've agreed that we'd all be better served going in different directions."