Longtime ESPN Reporter Chris Mortensen Passes Away at 72
Chris Mortensen, the longitme ESPN NFL reporter, and fixtaure of the network for over three decades has died. He was 72.
Mortensen originally joined ESPN in 1991. He worked as both an NFL insider and a contributor to the station’s NFL shows, as well as on Sportscenter. In 2016, he received the Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award and was honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.


Photo: ABC7 News
That same year, Mortensen revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer.
A Storied Career
While Mortensen continued to work following his diagnosis (he broke the news that Peyton Manning was retiring in 2016), in 2023 he stepped away from his job at ESPN to focus on his “health, faith and family.”
Prior to his tenure at ESPN, Mortensen wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was one of the first writers hired at The National. He also worked as a columnist for The Sporting News and contributed to Sport magazine.


Photo: Also Pro Football Network
Throughout his career, Mortensen received 18 awards for journalism, including the George Polk Award in 1987. He was also nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes.
Tributes Pour In
Following the news of Mortensen’s passing, tributes from his peers and ESPN family began to pour in.
“Chris Mortensen was one of the kindest, most generous gentlemen you could ever come across, in any field. His professionalism and decency earned him universal admiration – his enthusiasm and good nature made him everyone’s friend. His mark on the business will last a long time, his impact on those of us lucky enough to know him well will last the rest of our lives. Rest in peace, Mort. We will treasure your memory forever,” Mike Greenberg wrote.
Chris Mortensen was one of the kindest, most generous gentlemen you could ever come across, in any field.
His professionalism and decency earned him universal admiration – his enthusiasm and good nature made him everyone’s friend.
His mark on the business will last a long…
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 3, 2024
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement posted on X/Twitter. “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 are with his loved ones.”
“Heartbroken. We lost a true legend. 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 news of my retirement. I will miss him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki & his family. Rest in peace, Mort,” Peyton Manning wrote on Instagram.
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Mortensen is survived by his wife Micki and son Alex.
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