Longtime ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen dead at 72

The sports world is mourning the loss of longtime ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen, who passed away at the age of 72. Mortensen was a fixture in the world of sports journalism for over four decades, known for his insightful analysis and in-depth reporting on all things NFL. His passion for the game and dedication to his craft made him a beloved figure among fans and colleagues alike.

Mortensen's career was marked by numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His impact on the industry cannot be overstated, as he paved the way for future generations of sports journalists to follow in his footsteps.

Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991 and was a regular contributor to the network's NFL shows and "SportsCenter." He was a regular news breaker for ESPN, including the news in 2016 that quarterback Peyton Manning was retiring from the NFL.

In 2016, he received the Pro Football Writers of America's Dick McCann Award and was honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's enshrinement ceremony in August that year.

Throughout his career, he received 18 journalism awards and two Pulitzer Prize nominations. Starting as a journalist at the South Bay Daily Breeze in 1969, he won the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting in all categories in 1978. A Torrance, Calif., native, Mortensen attended El Camino College before serving two years in the Army.

Before his iconic sports broadcasting career, Mortensen covered the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, winning a George Polk Award in 1987 for his reporting. He then covered the NFL for The National Sports Daily, a now-defunct newspaper, before he joined ESPN.

In 1991, he published a book, "Playing for Keeps: How One Man Kept the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Pro Football."

A native of Torrance, California, Mortensen attended El Camino College. He served two years in the Army before he began his journalism career at the South Bay (Calif.) Daily Breeze in 1969.

"An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man," ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said on social media. "Mort was the very best. He will be forever missed and remembered."

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 Sarah H

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