NFL Analyst Chris Mortensen Dead at 72

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 16: Analyst Chris Mortensen watches action prior to an Alliance of American Football game between the Birmingham Iron and the Salt Lake Stallions at Legion Field on February 16, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/AAF/Getty Images)

The sports world is remembering NFL reporter and analyst Chris Mortensen, who died on Sun., March 3 at age 72.

A cause of death has not yet been publicly disclosed.

The award-winning journalist from Torrance, Calif., was born on Nov. 7, 1951. He covered professional football news at ESPN for more than three decades. Before joining ESPN in 1991, Mortensen worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1983 to 1990.

Mortensen, who battled throat cancer in 2016, announced he was retiring last year so that he could "focus on my health, family and faith” following the 2023 NFL Draft.

“It’s not a classic retirement,” he said at the time. "I’ll still be here talking ball. It’s just time.”

During an ESPN broadcast on March 3, Mortensen was remembered as “one of the most trusted and respected voices in all of sports” and “one of the leading voices in breaking and reporting on news in the NFL.”

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro released a statement remembering the “widely respected” Mortensen as “an industry pioneer” who was “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,” Pitaro’s statement said. “He will truly be missed by colleagues and fans, and our hearts and thoughts are with his loved ones.”

The NFL Network’s Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah also paid tribute to Mortensen on March 3 after learning the “absolutely devastating news.” Eisen recalled that he was just 26 when he first met Mortensen, who was then ESPN’s “GOAT in the making.”

Mortensen was “one of the best football reporters we’ve ever known,” Eisen said. “He was so nice to me, was so welcoming to me when I first got there.”

Jeremiah’s voice neared its breaking point as he fondly remembered his mentor and recalled that they’d exchanged football-related text messages just one day earlier.

“He’s done everything for me,” a visibly shaken Jeremiah said. But instead of focusing on his own grief, Jeremiah said he wanted to think of the family Mortensen left behind.

“I just want to look in the camera and tell Micki, his wife, and Alex, his son, that every time I talked to Mort, you guys came up, because he was so proud of you,” Jeremiah said. “He loves you so much. You’re always in his heart, you’re always on his mind. He’s a sweet, sweet person with a sweet family.”

Among the many others who paid tribute to Mortensen was Peyton Manning. The former NFL quarterback posted one photo on Instagram of himself posing beside Mortensen and another showing Mortensen interviewing Manning on a football field.

“Heartbroken,” Manning wrote. "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.”

Next: Former NFL Star Frank Wycheck Dead at 52