Chris Mortensen, an award-winning ESPN reporter who lined the NFL, dies at 72

(AP) — Chris Mortensen, the award-winning journalist who lined the NFL for near 4 many years, together with 32 as a senior analyst at ESPN, died Sunday morning. He was 72.

ESPN confirmed Mortensen’s loss of life on Sunday. There was no fast phrase on the trigger or place of loss of life.

“Mort was broadly revered as an trade pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hardworking teammate,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro mentioned in an announcement. “He lined the NFL with extraordinary ability and keenness, and was on the high of his discipline for many years. He’ll actually be missed by colleagues and followers, and our hearts and ideas are along with his family members.”

Mortensen introduced in 2016 that he he had been identified with throat most cancers. Even whereas present process therapy, he was the primary to verify the retirement of Corridor of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.

“We misplaced a real legend,” Manning mentioned in a social media publish. “Mort was the most effective within the enterprise and I cherished our friendship. I trusted him with my announcement to signal with the Broncos and with the information of my retirement. I’ll miss him dearly and my ideas and prayers are with Micki & his household. Relaxation in peace, Mort.”

Mortensen introduced his retirement after the NFL draft final 12 months in order that he might “concentrate on my well being, household and religion.”

NFL Community analyst Daniel Jeremiah mentioned throughout the finish of protection on the NFL Scouting Mix on Sunday that Mortensen texted him to ask how he thought Spencer Rattler would do throughout the quarterback exercises in Indianapolis.

“He’s simply one of many sweetest souls you’ll have ever met, and he cherished his sport,” Jeremiah mentioned. “That’s why once we discovered about this, the very last thing I need to do is come out right here. However, man, he would punch me within the face if we didn’t if we didn’t do that and have enjoyable and luxuriate in this nice sport that he cherished a lot.”

Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991, and for years helped form the community’s protection because the NFL exploded into year-round protection. Moreover showing on a myriad of community reveals, he additionally wrote for ESPN.com.

“Chris will perpetually be a part of the NFL household. Beloved by so many, he was an excellent voice for the sport and as passionate and proficient as there has ever been,” Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones mentioned in an announcement. “My appreciation and respect got here rapidly for Chris as I visited with him typically in Austin throughout my early years. We bonded drastically there.”

He obtained the Dick McCann Award from the Skilled Soccer Writers of America in 2016. It was renamed to the Invoice Nunn Jr. Award in 2021 and is offered yearly throughout the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame ceremonies to the reporter who has made an extended and distinguished contribution by way of their protection of the sport.

“I admired how onerous Chris labored to grow to be one of the crucial influential and revered reporters in sports activities. He earned our respect and that of many others along with his relentless pursuit of stories but in addition with the kindness he prolonged to everybody he met,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned in an announcement. “He will probably be drastically missed by many people within the league who have been lucky to know him properly past the tales he broke every Sunday.”

Mortensen additionally labored for the Atlanta Journal-Structure from 1983-89. He lined the Atlanta Falcons from 1985-86 and the league from 1985-89. He left for The Nationwide in 1989 and labored there for almost two years.

He was an NFL columnist for The Sporting Information and a contributing author for Sport journal. He was additionally a guide for CBS’ “The NFL At this time” in 1990.

“I thought-about Chris a private hero of my mine and it’s actually onerous to think about sports activities journalism with out him. His capability to tackle life’s obstacles with grit and dedication was at all times actually inspiring and his monumental influence on so many, me included, will dwell on by way of this work and unwavering friendships,” Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean mentioned in an announcement.

A local of Torrance, California, Mortensen attended El Camino School. He served two years within the Military earlier than he started his journalism profession on the South Bay (Calif.) Day by day Breeze in 1969.

“A completely devastating day. Mort was one of many best reporters in sports activities historical past, and a good higher man,” mentioned ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter on social media. “Mort was the perfect. He will probably be perpetually missed and remembered.”

He’s survived by his spouse, Micki, and son, Alex.