Chris Mortensen, a venerable journalist renowned for his coverage of the NFL during his tenure at ESPN spanning decades, passed away on Sunday at the age of 72.
The confirmation of Mortensen’s passing came from his family to ESPN. Although the precise cause of his demise was not disclosed, it is known that he had been battling Stage 4 throat cancer since January 2016.
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement posted on X/Twitter.
“He covered the NFL with extraordinary skill and passion and was at the top of his field for decades. He will truly be missed by colleagues and fans, and our hearts and thoughts are with his loved ones.”
After joining ESPN in 1991, Chris Mortensen dedicated over 30 years to reporting on the NFL for the network.
A fixture on ESPN’s NFL programs and “SportsCenter,” he consistently delivered breaking news, including pivotal moments like Peyton Manning’s retirement from the NFL in 2016.
That same year, Mortensen’s contributions were recognized with the prestigious Dick McCann Award from the Pro Football Writers of America, and he was honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony.
In 2023, Mortensen made the decision to step away from his role at ESPN, prioritizing his health, family, and faith.
Before his tenure at ESPN, Mortensen showcased his journalistic prowess at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1983 to 1990, covering prominent sports teams like the Falcons, Braves, and the NFL. His exceptional reporting earned him the esteemed George Polk Award in 1987.
Mortensen was also a notable figure at The National, serving as one of its initial writers from 1989 to 1990.
His influence extended beyond print media, as he contributed to Sport magazine, served as a columnist for The Sporting News, and consulted with CBS Sports on “NFL Today.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Mortensen amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including 18 journalism awards and two Pulitzer Prize nominations.
His journey began as a journalist at the South Bay Daily Breeze in 1969, where he earned recognition with the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting across all categories in 1978.
Hailing from Torrance, California, Mortensen attended El Camino College before dedicating two years to serve in the Army.
