Chris Mortensen, a renowned journalist who covered the NFL for ESPN for over thirty years, passed away on Sunday at the age of 72, as announced by his family.
Mortensen began his tenure at ESPN in 1991 and was a key contributor to the network’s NFL programs and “SportsCenter.” He was known for breaking major news stories, such as quarterback Peyton Manning’s retirement from the NFL in 2016.
In 2016, Mortensen was honored with the Dick McCann Award from the Pro Football Writers of America and was recognized during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony that year.
“Mort was highly regarded as a trailblazer in the industry and universally loved as a supportive and hard-working colleague,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN’s chairman. “He reported on the NFL with exceptional skill and passion, and excelled in his field for many years. He will be deeply missed by coworkers and fans alike, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Adam Schefter, a longtime colleague of Mortensen’s on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” expressed his grief on social media, calling it a “devastating day” and praising Mortensen’s contributions to sports reporting.
Mortensen, who battled Stage 4 throat cancer since January 2016, took a step back from his role at ESPN last year to prioritize his health and family.
“Mort played a crucial role in establishing the journalistic standards at ESPN. His integrity, meticulousness, and reporting prowess elevated our news and information to new heights,” said Norby Williamson, executive editor and head of studio production for ESPN.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his sorrow over Mortensen’s passing, acknowledging his hard work and kindness in reporting on the league.
Peyton Manning, in an Instagram post, paid tribute to Mortensen as a legendary figure in sports journalism and shared his personal memories of their friendship.
Prior to joining ESPN, Mortensen wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, winning the George Polk Award in 1987. He also worked at The National and contributed to other sports publications before his tenure at ESPN.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank paid tribute to Mortensen, highlighting his impact on sports journalism and expressing gratitude for his professional excellence.
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, praised Mortensen’s contributions to reporting on the NFL and described him as a beloved member of the sports community.
Mortensen, who started his journalism career in 1969, received numerous awards for his investigative reporting and authored a book on football.
He is survived by his wife, Micki, and son, Alex.