Chris Mortensen, an award-winning journalist who reported on the NFL for ESPN for greater than three many years, died Sunday morning on the age of 72, his household introduced.
Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991 and was an everyday contributor to the community’s NFL exhibits and “SportsCenter.” He was an everyday information breaker for ESPN, together with the information in 2016 that quarterback Peyton Manning was retiring from the NFL.
In 2016, he obtained the Professional Soccer Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award and was honored through the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony in August that yr.
“Mort was extensively revered as an trade pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, stated in a press release. “He coated the NFL with extraordinary talent 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.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a longtime colleague of Mortensen’s on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” stated on social media: “A fully devastating day. Mort was one of many best reporters in sports activities historical past, and a good higher man. Sincerest condolences to his household, and all who knew and cherished him. So many did. Mort was the perfect. He will likely be perpetually missed and remembered.”
Mortensen, who was recognized with Stage 4 throat most cancers in January 2016, stepped away from his function at ESPN final yr “to give attention to my well being, household and religion,” he stated.
“Mort helped set the journalism normal within the early days of ESPN. His credibility, consideration to element and reporting abilities catapulted our information and knowledge to a brand new stage,” Norby Williamson, govt editor and head of studio manufacturing for ESPN, stated in a press release. “Extra importantly, he was an awesome teammate and human being. He personified care and respect for individuals which grew to become the tradition of ESPN.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated Mortensen’s demise was a “unhappy day for everybody within the NFL.”
“I admired how exhausting Chris labored to develop into some of the influential and revered reporters in sports activities,” Goodell stated in a press release. “He earned our respect and that of many others along with his relentless pursuit of reports but additionally with the kindness he prolonged to everybody he met. He will likely be drastically missed by many people within the league who have been lucky to know him properly past the tales he broke every Sunday.
“We ship our condolences to his household, his colleagues and the many individuals Chris touched all through his well-lived life.”
Manning, in a put up to Instagram, wrote that he was “heartbroken” by the information of Mortensen’s demise.
“We misplaced a real legend,” Manning stated in his put up. “Mort was the very best 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.”
Earlier than coming to ESPN, Mortensen wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Structure (1983-1990), masking the Falcons, the Braves and the NFL, and he gained the George Polk Award in 1987 for his reporting. He additionally was one of many first writers employed by editor Frank Deford on the sports activities every day The Nationwide, working there from 1989 to 1990 earlier than coming to ESPN.
“I be part of the immeasurable variety of hearts throughout the nation, in journalism and the sports activities group, as we mourn Chris Mortensen,” Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean stated in a press release. “I am grateful to have had the privilege of figuring out Chris via his unbelievable work starting at his days on the Atlanta Journal Structure and like so many, being blessed by his skilled excellence and private grace via the numerous years which have adopted. I thought-about Chris a private hero of my mine and it’s actually exhausting to think about sports activities journalism with out him.
“His skill to tackle life’s obstacles with grit and dedication was at all times actually inspiring and his huge impression on so many, me included, will reside on via this work and unwavering friendships. I ship my deepest condolences to Chris’ household and pals, and pray they discover peace within the honorable legacy and optimistic affect that Chris leaves behind.”
Mortensen additionally was a columnist for The Sporting Information, a contributor to Sport journal and a marketing consultant with CBS Sports activities’ “NFL Immediately” (1990).
“Chris will perpetually be a part of the NFL household. Liked by so many, he was a superb voice for the sport and as passionate and gifted as there has ever been,” Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones stated in a press release. “He will likely be deeply missed and we’re grateful for the particular recollections and legacy Chris leaves us.”
Mortensen, who started his journalism profession on the South Bay (California) Day by day Breeze in 1969, gained the Nationwide Headliner Award for investigative reporting in all classes in 1978. He obtained 18 awards in journalism and was nominated for 2 Pulitzer Prizes in his profession.
He additionally was the writer of the ebook “Enjoying for Retains: How One Man Stopped the Mob from Sinking its Hooks into Professional Soccer.”
Mortensen, a local of Torrance, California, was born Nov. 7, 1951. He attended El Camino School earlier than serving two years within the Military.
He’s survived by his spouse, Micki, and son, Alex.
