ESPN's Chris Mortensen, seen here at an NFL game in 2006, died Sunday. He was 72. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Longtime NFL reporter and ESPN journalist Chris Mortensen died Sunday morning, the network announced. He was 72.
Details of his death are not yet known, although Mortensen had been battling cancer for years.
ESPN deeply regrets having to share this devastating news.
Award-winning journalist Chris Mortensen passed away this morning at the age of 72. pic.twitter.com/m0Sh742PuO
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 3, 2024
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally loved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “He served the NFL with exceptional skill and passion and was at the top of his field for decades. Colleagues and fans will truly miss him and our hearts and thoughts go out to his loved ones.”
ESPN also announced the news Sunday afternoon, and the NFL Network ended its coverage of the NFL scouting combine with a tribute to Mortensen.
Mortensen first joined ESPN in 1991 and quickly became one of the top NFL reporters in the country. He regularly appeared on the network's top shows and often broke some of the league's biggest news – including in 2016, when he announced that longtime quarterback and Hall of Famer Peyton Manning was retiring.
Mortensen, who also worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The National before joining ESPN, briefly resigned in 2016 after revealing that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer. He eventually returned and made television appearances on ESPN again, but his role was revised in 2019 to allow him to focus more on breaking news.
Mortensen then announced last year that he would retire after the 2023 NFL Draft so he could focus on his “health, family and faith.”
I'm excited for another season, but it's time to spill the beans. After my 33rd NFL Draft in April, I decided to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, my family and my faith.
The gratitude and humility is overwhelming.
It's not a traditional retirement. I'll still be here talking ball.…
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 5, 2023
Mortensen was also a columnist for The Sporting News, a contributor to Sport magazine and a consultant for CBS Sports' “NFL Today.” He began his career in 1969 at the South Bay Daily Breeze in California. Mortensen won a total of 18 awards throughout his journalism career and was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes.
Many of his former colleagues, friends and others, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, took to social media to pay their respects after the news was announced Sunday.
An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history and an even better man. Sincere condolences to his family and all who knew and loved him. So many have done it. Mort was the very best. He will be missed and remembered forever. https://t.co/7b7Im0vIFs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2024
A devastating loss for our company and for his friends and family. RIP Mort, a real one in every sense of the word. https://t.co/fF2dQSL37U
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 3
An absolute giant of a man and journalist. One of the greatest joys of working at ESPN was getting to know Mort and learning from him. Condolences to his family and friends and good luck to a legend. https://t.co/XAZ2qnt4F5
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 3, 2024
I was devastated to hear of Mort's death. He was a legend and we spent so many hours together just talking about football. I miss him a lot pic.twitter.com/gxiCULwKBG
— Trey Wingo (@wingoz) March 3, 2024
Mort was great at his job, but rather one of the nicest and best people in the industry.
Nothing brightened my day more than a text message from Mort about a TV hit I did that he loved, or working on a news report. The text messages continued even after our time as teammates ended. We'll miss you, Mort. RIP 🐐 https://t.co/aRSMfEPyC1
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 3, 2024
One of the nicest and funniest people I have met in our industry. Chris was incredibly supportive of me long before we were colleagues on TV; He had a rare combination of wit and warmth and made everyone around him do their jobs better. I am lucky to have known him. https://t.co/tuihZsVRXf
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 3
Chris Mortensen was a shining example for everyone who does this job. Friendly to everyone. Thoughtful and principled. He knew he had the best job in the world and never took it for granted. I enjoyed every conversation with him and am glad to have called him a friend. RIP, Mort. https://t.co/RPXp7mVnhv
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 3, 2024
Brutal news. Great guy, great at his job, has a huge impact on the way the NFL is covered. Always had something nice to say or news to share. RIP and condolences to his family. https://t.co/hNSBSRgs2y
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 3, 2024
Comments are closed.