Originally appeared on E! On the net
The sporting activities broadcasting earth is in mourning.
Chris Mortensen, who labored as an NFL reporter and analyst for ESPN for extra than 30 decades, died March 3, his family informed the sports outlet. The award-profitable journalist, who retired previous yr, was 72.
“Mort was commonly revered as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-doing work teammate,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro mentioned in a assertion. “He coated the NFL with extraordinary talent and enthusiasm, and was at the major of his area for decades. He will certainly be skipped by colleagues and supporters, and our hearts and views are with his liked ones.”
Mortensen is survived by his spouse of 39 many years, Micki Mortensen, 65, and their son Alex Mortensen, 38, a College of Alabama at Birmingham soccer mentor and previous quarterback.
Chris Mortensen, an Army veteran from California, started his journalism occupation as an investigative sporting activities reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, generally masking the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons. In 1987, he gained the George Polk Award for reporting. In the course of his occupation, he acquired 18 awards in journalism and was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes.
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Chris Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991. All through his time with the organization, he labored as a reporter for shows this sort of as NFL GameDay, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night time Countdown, a contributor to SportsCenter and as an analyst for the cable network’s NFL draft protection.
In January 2016, Chris Mortensen explained in a statement to ESPN that he has been identified with Stage IV throat most cancers and would be “temporarily stepping absent” from his regular NFL coverage responsibilities. The following August, he announced in a different assertion that just after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, his most cancers had been “virtually lessened to zero detection of the disorder through the most up-to-date scans and exams. He returned to get the job done at ESPN months afterwards.
Final September, Chris Mortensen announced his retirement. “Excited about an additional season but it’s time to expose after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a choice to step away from ESPN and aim on my health, family and faith,” he wrote on X. “The gratitude and humility is mind-boggling. It is really not a typical retirement. I’ll nevertheless be below chatting ball. It is really just time. God Bless you all.”
Subsequent news of his death, Chris Mortensen received a slew of tributes from lovers, colleagues and pals, together with NFL icon Peyton Manning. The journalist was the initially to report the information of the legendary Broncos quarterback’s retirement.
“Heartbroken,” the athlete wrote on Instagram, together with a photograph of himself with Chris Mortensen. “We dropped a real legend. Mort was the ideal in the small business and I cherished our friendship. I trusted him with my announcement to signal with the Broncos and with the news of my retirement. I will overlook him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki & his loved ones. Rest in peace, Mort.”
