The acclaimed ESPN journalist known for his extensive NFL coverage, Chris Mortensen, has not been confirmed dead. Mortensen, born November 7, 1951, has made significant contributions to sports journalism with his astute analysis and breaking news reporting.
He publicly publicized his throat cancer diagnosis in 2016, fighting his illness with incredible fortitude. His struggles and successes inspire sports fans and others. Verifying his health status and news from verified sources is essential.
Chris Mortensen Cause of Death
Award-winning writer Chris Mortensen, who covered the NFL for ESPN for many years, passed away on Sunday. He was 72. Mortensen’s family informed ESPN of the news. In January 2016, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer, yet the cause of death remained unknown.
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement posted on X/Twitter. “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 is very sorry to have to share this devastating news.
Award-winning journalist Chris Mortensen passed away this morning at the age of 72. pic.twitter.com/m0Sh742PuO
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 3, 2024
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ESPN stated on social media on Sunday that Mortensen, a George Polk Award-winning newspaperman who joined the company in 1991, had passed away.
“We’re very sorry to share the devastating news that Chris Mortensen, an award-winning NFL journalist at ESPN for more than three decades, died Sunday morning at the age of 72,” the network posted on Instagram. “Thanks for everything, Mort. We’ll miss you dearly.”
Mortensen covered the NFL for ESPN for more than thirty years after joining the network in 1991. He frequently contributed to “SportsCenter” and ESPN’s NFL broadcasts.
For ESPN, Mortensen often broke stories, such as Peyton Manning’s 2016 NFL retirement. In the same year, he was honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony and won the Dick McCann Award from the Pro Football Writers of America. Mortensen left ESPN in 2023 to concentrate on his “health, family, and faith.”
Before joining ESPN, Mortensen covered the NFL, the Falcons, and the Braves as a writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1983 to 1990. For his reporting, he was honored with the 1987 George Polk Award.
In 1989 and 1990, Mortensen worked as a sports journalist for The National, where he was among the first writers hired. He also contributed to Sport magazine, wrote columns for The Sporting News, and served as a consultant for CBS Sports’ “NFL Today.”
During his career, he was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes and won eighteen journalism honors. He began working as a journalist for the South Bay Daily Breeze in 1969, and in 1978, he was awarded the National Headliner Award for all categories of investigative reporting.
Mortensen, who was born and raised in Torrance, California, attended El Camino College prior to spending two years in the Army. Alex, his son, and his wife Micki survive Mortensen.
