Chris Mortensen, the longtime NFL insider for ESPN, died Sunday morning, the network announced. He was 72.
The legendary reporter is considered to be one of the original NFL insiders and had started out working in newspapers before transitioning to ESPN and the world of television in 1991.
Chris Mortensen, a longtime ESPN NFL insider, has died at the age of 72. Getty Images
Chris Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991. Getty Images
There was no specific cause of death released on Sunday, but Mortensen had taken a leave of absence in 2016 after being diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer
Mortensen left the Worldwide Leader in September 2023 “to focus on my health, family and faith.”
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “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 one.”
Chris Mortensen was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer in 2016. WireImage
The NFL insider had been one of the biggest news breakers during his more than three decades at ESPN and Mortensen had been a regular contributor on “SportsCenter” along with the network’s NFL-specific programming, “NFL GameDay” which then became “Sunday NFL Countdown” along with other shows.”
He would also appear on ESPN’s investigative journalism program, “Outside the Lines.”
Mortensen broke some of the sport’s biggest stories, including quarterback Payton Manning’s retirement in 2016, the same year he was given the Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award and was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Chris Mortensen (r.) interviews Peyton Manning (l.) Getty Images
Mortensen won 18 journalism awards over the course of his career, which began at the Daily Breeze in Torrance, California in 1969, and was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes.
“An absolutely devastating day,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X. “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.”
Mortensen had been at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before jumping to ESPN, first covering the Atlanta Braves and filing investigative reports and then moving to cover the Atlanta Falcons starting in 1985 which then led to covering the entire NFL.
Chris Mortensen (l.) on the set of ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (r.) Getty Images
He won the George Polk Award in 1987 for his reporting on the NFL.
Mortensen went on to write for The National from 1989-90 and joined ESPN in 1991.
Mortensen is survived by his wife Micki and son Alex.
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