Chris Mortensen, legendary ESPN NFL journalist, dies at 72
Long-time NFL analyst Chris Mortensen passed away this week at the age of 72, ESPN announced on Sunday. The former ESPN commentator retired in September of 2023 before the start of the NFL regular season.
“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,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro shared.
Mortensen began his career in journalism in 1969. He covered news, investigations, and of course, sports, before making his first appearance on the world leader in sports broadcasting, ESPN, in 1991. That year, he released a book titled, Playing for Keeps: How One Man Kept the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Pro Football.
In 2016, Mortensen had to take a leave of absence from his work with the network when he received a diagnosis of Stage 4 throat cancer. He announced his retirement from ESPN in September.
“Excited about another season but it’s time to reveal after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a decision to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, family and faith,” Mortensen shared, via X. “The gratitude and humility is overwhelming. It’s not a classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking ball. It’s just time. God Bless you all.”
Mortensen battled cancer amid ESPN tenure
Born in 1951 in Torrance, California, Mortensen began his career in journalism at the Daily Breeze in 1969. He worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before making his first appearance on ESPN in 1991.
Mortensen and his wife Micki married and had their son, Alex, who became a quarterback at the University of Arkansas before joining the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. Alex Mortensen is now a coach, working under Trent Dilfer as offensive coordinator at UAB.
Tributes to Mortensen began pouring in on Sunday night, including many from his former colleagues. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero shared how the former analyst reached out to him when his wife was battling her own health issue.
“People impact your life, personally and professionally, in various ways at various levels,” Louis Riddick posted on X. “Chris Mortenson impacted mine to the greatest extent he could given our relationship at ESPN from day one. He did everything he could to help me in all ways, and my respect and gratitude for his friendship has no limit.
“Mort was the very best. He was a Titan in the industry. A pillar of respect. Our business has a gigantic void without him. I feel for all that knew him and loved him, and my deepest condolences to his family. RIP my friend.”