Award-Winning ESPN Reporter Passes Away

Chris Mortensen, a long-time reporter who covered the NFL for ESPN, has passed away.

He was 72.

“ESPN is very sorry to have to share this devastating news. Award-winning journalist Chris Mortensen passed away this morning at the age of 72,” ESPN announced Sunday.

“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate. 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 thoughts and hearts are with his loved ones,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said.

ESPN is very sorry to have 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

The NFL Network paid tribute to Mortensen during its coverage of the NFL scouting combine.

WATCH:

.@movethesticks and @richeisen honor the memory of the legendary Chris Mortensen, who passed away today at the age of 72.

Our thoughts are with his family and the ESPN family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ehkj1BYar2

— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024

Per ESPN:

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 shows and “SportsCenter.” He was a regular news breaker for ESPN, including the news in 2016 that quarterback Peyton Manning was retiring from the NFL.

In 2016, he received the Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award and was honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony in August that year.

“An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man. Sincerest condolences to his family, and all who knew and loved him. So many did. Mort was the very best. He will be forever missed and remembered,” Adam Schefter said.

An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man. Sincerest condolences to his family, and all who knew and loved him. So many did. Mort was the very best. He will be forever missed and remembered. https://t.co/7b7Im0vIFs

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2024

Although specifics of Mortensen’s death aren’t clear, he battled cancer for several years.

He was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer in January 2016, according to ESPN.

“Excited about another season but it’s time to reveal after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a decision to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, family and faith. The gratitude and humility is overwhelming. It’s not a classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking ball. It’s just time. God Bless you all,” Mortensen said last September.

Excited about another season but it’s time to reveal after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a decision to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, family and faith.
The gratitude and humility is overwhelming.
It’s not a classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking ball.…

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 5, 2023

WATCH:

The life and legacy of our beloved friend and colleague Chris Mortensen.

Produced by @VinnyColadonato pic.twitter.com/PhYiSFHYln

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2024

Yahoo Sports added:

Mortensen, who also worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The National before joining ESPN, stepped away briefly in 2016 after he revealed 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 so he could focus more on breaking news.

Mortensen then announced last year that, after the 2023 NFL Draft, he was retiring so he could focus on his “health, family and faith.”

Mortensen also spent time as a columnist for The Sporting News, was a contributor to Sport magazine and worked as a consultant with CBS Sports’ “NFL Today.” He began his career at the South Bay Daily Breeze in California in 1969. Mortensen won 18 total awards and was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes throughout his journalism career.

Plenty 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 on Sunday.