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Chris Mortensen, an award-winning veteran reporter for ESPN, died Sunday morning, the community introduced. He was 72 and no trigger was given, however he had been battling most cancers throughout his life.
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro stated in an announcement. “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 one.”
Mortensen took a go away of absence from ESPN in 2016 after being identified with Stage 4 throat most cancers, which later unfold to his lungs. He left ESPN in 2023 after becoming a member of the community in 1991.
“An absolutely devastating day,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X. “Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man. Sincerest condolences to his family, and all who knew and loved him. So many did. Mort was the very best. He will be forever missed and remembered.”
Mortensen was an everyday contributor to ESPN’s NFL reveals and SportsHeart. His scoops included the information in 2016 that Peyton Manning was retiring from the NFL.
In 2016, he acquired the Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award and was honored through the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony in August that 12 months.
Earlier in his profession, he wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (1983 to ’90), overlaying the Falcons, Braves, and the NFL, and 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 National, working there from 1989 to 1990 earlier than coming to ESPN.
He additionally was a columnist for The Sporting News, a contributor to Sport journal, and a marketing consultant with CBS Sports’ “NFL Today” (1990).
Mortensen started his journalism profession in California on the South Bay’s Daily Breeze in 1969, and gained the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting in all classes. He acquired 18 awards in journalism and was nominated for 2 Pulitzer Prizes in his profession.
Mortensen is survived by his spouse, Micki, and son, Alex. No memorial plans have been introduced.
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