Award-winning ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen, who covered the NFL dead, aged 72

The legendary journalist Chris Mortensen, who spent thirty-two years as a senior analyst at ESPN and over forty years covering the NFL, passed away on Sunday morning. He was seventy-two. 

On Sunday, ESPN verified Mortensen's passing. The cause and location of the death were not immediately known. 

ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement, "Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hardworking teammate." He was at the pinnacle of his profession for many years, covering the NFL with incredible skill and love. Colleagues and admirers alike will sincerely miss him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. 

In 2016, Mortensen revealed that he had received a throat cancer diagnosis. Even while undergoing treatment, he was the first to confirm the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. 

“We lost a true legend,” Manning said in a social media post. “Mort was the best in the business and I cherished our friendship. I trusted him with my announcement to sign with the Broncos and with the news of my retirement. I will miss him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki & his family. Rest in peace, Mort.” 

Mortensen announced his retirement after the NFL draft last year so that he could “focus on my health, family and faith.” 

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during the end of coverage at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday that Mortensen texted him to ask how he thought Spencer Rattler would do during the quarterback workouts in Indianapolis. 

“He’s just one of the sweetest souls you will have ever met, and he loved his sport,” Jeremiah said. “That’s why when we found out about this, the last thing I want to do is come out here. But, man, he would punch me in the face if we didn’t if we didn’tdo this and have fun and enjoy this great game that he loved so much.” 

Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991, and for years helped shape the network's coverage as the NFL exploded into year-round coverage. Besides appearing on a myriad of network shows, he also wrote for ESPN.com. 

“Chris will forever be part of the NFL family. Loved by so many, he was a brilliant voice for the game and as passionate and talented as there has ever been," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "My appreciation and respect came quickly for Chris as I visited with him often in Austin during my early years. We bonded greatly there." 

The Professional Football Writers of America presented him with the Dick McCann Award in 2016. The award was renamed the Bill Nunn Jr. Award in 2021 and is given annually to the reporter who has distinguished themselves throughout a long and illustrious career covering the game during the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies. 

"I was impressed by Chris's dedication to becoming one of sports journalism's most prestigious and powerful writers. In addition to his unwavering pursuit of news, he won the respect of many people with his friendliness towards everyone he encountered, according to a statement released by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "He will be greatly missed by many of us in the league who were fortunate to know him well beyond the stories he broke each Sunday." 

Mortensen also worked for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1983-89. He covered the Atlanta Falcons from 1985-86 and the league from 1985-89. He left for The National in 1989 and worked there for nearly two years. 

He was an NFL columnist for The Sporting News and a contributing writer for Sport magazine. He was also a consultant for CBS' “The NFL Today” in 1990. 

“I considered Chris a personal hero of my mine and it is truly hard to imagine sports journalism without him. His ability to take on life’s obstacles with grit and determination was always truly inspiring and his enormous impact on so many, me included, will live on through this work and unwavering friendships," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. 

A native of Torrance, California, Mortensen attended El Camino College. He served two years in the Army before he began his journalism career at the South Bay (Calif.) Daily Breeze in 1969. 

“An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man,” said ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter on social media. “Mort was the very best. He will be forever missed and remembered.” 

He is survived by his wife, Micki, and son, Alex.