Journalist Chris Mortensen is best known for his 30 year career at ESPN where he reported on the NFL. While at ESPN, Mortensen broke many sports stories, but now the network has the unfortunate job of breaking the sad news of Mortensen’s death. He was 72 years old. He died on March 3, 2024.

The network shared the Mortensen started his career at ESPN in 1991, working on “SportsCenter.” He received multiple awards during his decades long career including the Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award in 2016, the same year that he stepped away from his journalism career due to a Stage 4 throat cancer diagnosis.

Upon learning the news of his death, multiple people in the sports world have posted tributes to Mortensen. For example, quarterback Peyton Manning wrote on Instagram, “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 the news of my retirement. I will miss him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki & his family. Rest in peace, Mort.”

 

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The chairman of ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro shared, “Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate. 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.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shared that Mortensen “earned our respect and that of many others with his relentless pursuit of news but also with 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.”

Watch the video below to learn more about Mortensen’s career and the news of his death.