By Matt Stuart | Published | No Comments
Longtime ESPN analysts Chris Mortensen has died, as reported by ESPN, Mortensen was 72 years old.
Mortensen worked with ESPN for more than three decades covering the NFL and the providing Draft analysis as well. He was a fixture on several long running ESPN shows, including NFL Primetime, NFL Countdown and Sportscaster.
Mortensen was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer in 2006. He briefly stepped away from ESPN to get treatment. However, Mortensen continued to work for the network, behind the scenes, while receiving his cancer treatment.
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.” (ESPN Chairman — Jimmy Pitaro)
Before joining ESPN, Mortensen made a name for himself working with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1983 through 1991. He covered the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves for the newspaper and also in that time published a book titled “Playing for Keeps: How One Man Kept the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Pro Football.”
Mortensen won an award – George Polk Award – for his reporting in 1987.
