Award-winning veteran reporter for ESPN, Chris Mortensen, passed away at the age of 72 on Sunday morning. The network announced his death, but no cause was specified. Mortensen had been battling cancer throughout his life.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro paid tribute to Mortensen, describing him as an industry pioneer who was respected and beloved by all. Mortensen covered the NFL with skill and passion for decades, leaving a lasting impact on his colleagues and fans.
Mortensen took a leave of absence from ESPN in 2016 after being diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer, which later spread to his lungs. He joined ESPN in 1991 and left the network in 2023.
His colleague Adam Schefter described Mortensen as one of the greatest reporters in sports history and praised him for being an outstanding individual. Mortensen’s contributions to ESPN’s NFL shows and SportsCenter were invaluable, and he was known for breaking major stories in the world of sports.
In 2016, Mortensen received the Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award and was honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony. Earlier in his career, he worked for publications like the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The National, gaining recognition for his reporting.
Mortensen began his journalism career in California and received numerous awards for his investigative reporting. He leaves behind his wife, Micki, and son, Alex, with no memorial plans announced at this time.
The sports journalism community mourns the loss of Chris Mortensen, a true legend in the field. His legacy will live on through his impactful work and dedication to the craft.
