Chris Mortensen, a longtime NFL reporter for more than three decades, died on Sunday morning, ESPN announced. He was 72.
"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 ones."
Mortensen, who was diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer in 2016, announced his decision to step away from ESPN ahead of the 2023 season "to focus on my health, family and faith." His decision was revealed after having covered his 33rd NFL draft.
Joining ESPN in 1991, Mortensen was instrumental in the network's year-round coverage of the NFL, reporting and regularly breaking NFL news while making routine appearances on multiple flagship shows, including "NFL Insiders," "NFL Live," "Sunday NFL Countdown," "Monday Night Countdown" and "Outside The Lines."
"It's a sad day for everyone in the NFL," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "I admired how hard Chris worked to become one of the most influential and revered reporters in sports. He earned our respect and that of many other with his relentless pursuit of news but also the kindness he extended to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by many of us in the league who were fortunate to know him well beyond the stories he broke each Sunday. We send our condolences to his family, his colleagues and the many people Chris touched throughout his well-lived life."
In 2016, Mortensen was selected as the McCann Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA),
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