Chris Mortensen, a veteran sports journalist who covered the NFL for ESPN for more than 30 years, died Sunday morning at the age of 72. He joined ESPN in 1991 and built a reputation for being one of the most respected and influential reporters in the sports media industry.
The news veteran had battled throat cancer since 2016, which later spread to his lungs. He retired from his role at the network in 2023.
ESPN announced the news of Mortensen’s death on Sunday through their website and social media channels. Some of the athletes he covered in his segment, such as Peyton Manning, went online to pay tribute to him.
Manning wrote a caption under a picture of the two of them on Instagram that reads: “Heartbroken. We lost a true legend. Mort was the best in the business and I cherished our friendship”.
Chris Mortensen’s colleague, Adam Schefter, who worked with him during his time on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” also offered his “sincerest condolences” to the deceased’s family on X.
Mortensen was known for his breaking news, insightful analysis, and deep relationships in the NFL. He covered some of the biggest stories and events in the league, such as the Peyton Manning free agency, the Deflategate scandal, and the NFL draft. He also mentored many young journalists and colleagues at ESPN and beyond.
A few of the awards he won in his lifetime due to his journalism include the George Polk Award, the Dick Schaap Award, and the Professional Football Writers of America Award.
Chris Mortensen is survived by his wife Micki and his son Alex. He also leaves behind a large family of friends and fans in the sports world.