One of the NFL’s best and most important and influential reporters has died. But to define Chris Mortensen by his legendary work would not even begin to come close to best describing him.
Mortensen was best known by his colleagues and those who knew him as one of the nicest people they had ever come across.
Mortensen died Sunday at the age of 72. The cause of his death was not immediately announced, but he had been battling cancer for years. He was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer in January 2016 and stepped away from his full-time role at ESPN last year to, he said, “focus on my health, family and faith.”
Known simply as “Mort,” Mortensen had a long career covering the NFL, particularly at ESPN and, before that, newspapers including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He joined ESPN in 1991 and was a staple on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and various NFL shows, consistently breaking news. His biggest scoop might have been that Peyton Manning was retiring from football. In 2016, Mortensen received the Pro Football Writers of America's Dick McCann Award and was honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's enshrinement ceremony that year.
In an Instagram post, Manning wrote, “Heartbroken. We lost a true legend. Mort was the best in the business and I cherished our friendship. I trusted him with my announcement to sign with the Broncos and with the news of my retirement. I will miss him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki & his family. Rest in peace, Mort.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement, “Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate. 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.”
So what made Mortensen’s work so influential?
The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch wrote, “He first joined ESPN at a time when most sports information brokers such as Mortensen plied their trade for local newspapers. His work ultimately helped develop an entire cottage industry that is ubiquitous today — the sports television insider.”
Peter King — who just retired last week after more than four decades of covering the NFL, mostly for Sports Illustrated — told Deitsch, “He belongs next to Will McDonough on the Mount Rushmore of NFL information people. They are the two guys. He did it for so long and did it so incredibly well that it was the sort of thing that for years no matter where I was, I would make sure that I watch every one of his segments on the ESPN pregame show. I’m a little emotional about it because after I retired the other day he called me. He sounded great. He called me and he said a bunch of nice things. I just always appreciated my relationship with him and appreciated his vigor.”
Tributes poured in across social media.
ESPN host Mike Greenberg tweeted, “Chris Mortensen was one of the kindest, most generous gentlemen you could ever come across, in any field. His professionalism and decency earned him universal admiration - his enthusiasm and good nature made him everyone’s friend. His mark on the business will last a long time, his impact on those of us lucky enough to know him well will last the rest of our lives. Rest in peace, Mort. We will treasure your memory forever.”
NFL reporter Andrea Kremer, who worked with Mortensen at ESPN, tweeted, “Just saw the news about Mort and an incredible, profound sadness overcame me. He was a decades long friend and someone for whom I had total admiration as a professional and love and respect as a wonderful person. My deepest condolences to Micki and Alex and so many he impacted.”
Rich Eisen, who is now at the NFL Network after working with Mortensen at ESPN, tweeted, “Crushing. Mort was a delight to be around and nice to everyone.”
ESPN’s Mina Kimes tweeted, “One of the kindest and funniest people I've encountered in our industry. Chris was incredibly supportive of me long before we were colleagues on TV; he had a rare combination of wit and warmth, and made everyone around him better at their jobs. I feel lucky to have known him.”
Mortensen’s longtime colleague and friend Jeff Schultz, who recently retired after a career that included long stints at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Athletic, tweeted, “Crushed. Chris has meant so much to so many of us for so long. Worked together at AJC. He recently sent me a nice note after I retired. Exchanged messages. Said, ‘Let me know if there's anything I can do for you.’ He did this when he was in declining health. Prayers.”
On and on and on it went, with dozens upon dozens tweeting about how kind Mortensen was, as well as how talented.
Longtime ESPN personality Steve Levy put it the best when he tweeted, “The Mort tributes are all nearly identical. That’s how you know they’re true. He led the league in being a great human, every season. This is so upsetting on every level.”
