Chris Mortensen, an award-winning journalist who reported on the NFL for ESPN for more than three decades, died Sunday morning at the age of 72, his family announced.
Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991 and was a regular contributor to the network's NFL programs and “SportsCenter.” He was a regular news anchor for ESPN, including the 2016 news that quarterback Peyton Manning was retiring from the NFL.
In 2016, he received the Dick McCann Award from the Pro Football Writers of America and was honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in August of that year.
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally loved as a hard-working and supportive teammate,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “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 go out to his loved ones.”
ESPN's Adam Schefter, Mortensen's longtime colleague on ESPN's “Sunday NFL Countdown,” said on social media: “An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man. Our deepest condolences to his family and to everyone who knew and loved him. Many did. Mort was the best. He will be missed and remembered forever.”
Mortensen, who was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer in January 2016, stepped away from his role at ESPN last year “to focus on my health, my family and my faith,” he said.
“Mort helped set the standard for journalism in the early days of ESPN. His credibility, attention to detail and journalistic skills catapulted our news and information to a new level,” said Norby Williamson, executive editor and head of studio production at ESPN. , in a statement. “More importantly, he was a great teammate and human being. He personified care and respect for people, which became the culture of ESPN.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Mortensen's death was a “sad day for everyone in the NFL.”
“I admired how hard Chris worked to become one of the most influential and revered sports reporters,” Goodell said in a statement. “He earned our respect and that of many others with his relentless pursuit of news, but also with the kindness he showed toward everyone he met. He will be missed by many of us in the league who were lucky enough to know him far beyond the stories. a lot. broke every Sunday.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues and the many people Chris touched throughout his well-lived life.”
Manning, in a post on Instagram, wrote that he was “heartbroken” by the news of Mortensen's death.
“We lost a true legend,” Manning said in his post. “Mort was the best in the business and appreciated our friendship. I confided in him my announcement to sign with the Broncos and the news of my retirement. I will miss him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki and his family. Rest in peace, Mort. “
Before coming to ESPN, Mortensen wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (1983-1990), covering the Falcons, Braves and the NFL, and won the 1987 George Polk Award for his reporting. He was also one of the first writers hired by editor Frank Deford at the sports newspaper The National, where he worked from 1989 to 1990 before coming to ESPN.
“I join the immeasurable number of hearts across the country, in journalism and the sports community, as we mourn Chris Mortensen,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. “I am grateful to have had the privilege of knowing Chris through his incredible work since his days at the Atlanta Journal Constitution and, like many, to have been blessed by his professional excellence and personal grace throughout the many years that followed I consider Chris to be a personal hero and it's really hard to imagine sports journalism without him.
“His ability to face life's obstacles with courage and determination was always truly inspiring and his enormous impact on many people, including me, will live on through this work and my unwavering friendships. I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Chris, and pray that they find peace in the honorable legacy and positive influence that Chris leaves behind.”
Mortensen was also a columnist for The Sporting News, a contributor to Sport magazine and a consultant for CBS Sports' “NFL Today” (1990).
“Chris will always be a part of the NFL family. Loved by many, he was a brilliant voice for the game and more passionate and talented than ever,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. said in a statement. “He will be deeply missed and we are grateful for the special memories and legacy Chris leaves us.”
Mortensen, who began his journalism career at the South Bay, California, Daily Breeze in 1969, won the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting in all categories in 1978. He received 18 journalism awards and was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes. throughout his career.
He also authored the book “Playing for Keeps: How One Man Stopped the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Professional Football.”
Mortensen, a native of Torrance, California, was born on November 7, 1951. He attended El Camino College before serving two years in the Army.
He is survived by his wife Micki and son Alex.
