ESPN’s Chris Mortensenn Dead at Age 72

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen has died on the age of 72.

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman, confirmed Mortensen’s loss of life in a press release by way of X on Sunday, March 3.

“Mort was extensively revered as an trade pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” the assertion learn. “He lined the NFL with extraordinary talent and keenness, and was on the high of his area for many years. He’ll really be missed by colleagues and followers, and our hearts and ideas are together with his family members.”

ESPN shared a photograph of Mortensen smiling as he sat at his desk and captioned the put up, “ESPN could be very sorry to must share this devastating information. Award-winning journalist Chris Mortensen handed away this morning on the age of 72.”

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Following the information of Mortensen’s loss of life, a number of stars shared tributes to him by way of social media, together with Peyton Manning, who took to Instagram to share that he was “heartbroken” by Mortensen’s loss of life. (When Manning, 47, retired from the NFL in 2016, Mortensen broke the information.)

“We misplaced a real legend,” Manning wrote on Sunday alongside snaps of the 2. “Mort was one of the best within the enterprise and I cherished our friendship. I trusted him with my announcement to signal with the Broncos and with the information of my retirement. I’ll miss him dearly and my ideas and prayers are with [his wife] Micki & his household. Relaxation in peace, Mort.”

In 2016, Mortensen was identified with Stage IV throat most cancers. He initially took a go away of absence after the prognosis, and Mortensen retired from ESPN in September 2023 (although he deliberate to nonetheless seem on the community sporadically).

“Enthusiastic about one other season however it’s time to disclose after my thirty third NFL draft in April, I decided to step away from ESPN and give attention to my well being, household and religion,” he wrote by way of X on the time. “The gratitude and humility is overwhelming. It’s not a basic retirement. I’ll nonetheless be right here speaking ball. It’s simply time. God Bless you all.”

He joined ESPN in 1991 and contributed to the community’s NFL reveals and “SportsCenter.” Earlier than his profession in broadcasting, he lined the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL for The Atlanta Journal-Structure, successful a George Polk Award in 1987 for his reporting.

Mortensen, who served within the Military for 2 years, was nominated for 2 Pulitzer Prizes throughout his profession. He’s survived by his spouse, Micki Mortensen, and son Alex Mortensen, who’s a soccer coach.