Longtime ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen Dies at Age 72 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Former ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen died Sunday morning at the age of 72, the company announced.

ESPN PR @ESPNPR

ESPN is very sorry to have to share this devastating news. <br><br>Award-winning journalist Chris Mortensen passed away this morning at the age of 72. <a href="">

Mortensen made his ESPN broadcasting debut in 1991 and announced in 2023 that he would be stepping away to focus on his "health, family and faith."

Mortensen was a regular contributor on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown and SportsCenter and also served as an analyst on the network's NFL draft coverage. He is widely regarded as the original NFL insider.

Multiple reporters from across sports reacted to the news of Mortensen's passing on social media:

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man. Sincerest condolences to his family, and all who knew and loved him. So many did. Mort was the very best. He will be forever missed and remembered. <a href="">

Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo

A devastating loss for our business and for his friends and family. RIP Mort, a real one in every sense of the term. <a href="">

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero

One of the nicest men in sports. Prayers for the whole Mortensen family. 🙏 <a href="">

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

An absolute giant of a man and journalist. One of the great thrills coming to ESPN was getting to know and learn from Mort. Condolences to his family and friends and Godspeed to a legend. <a href="">

Peter King @peter_king

A giant in our business, and a terrific person. Will miss you, Mort. <a href="">

Ed Werder @WerderEdESPN

I cannot begin to express my deep sense of loss as my beloved friend leaves us for the eternal reward he so deserves. I cannot adequately describe my love and appreciation for Mort. <a href="">

Pat Forde @ByPatForde

Brutal news. Great guy, great at his job, made a huge imprint on how to cover the NFL. Always had something kind to say or a news nugget to pass along. RIP and condolences to his family. <a href="">

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan

Chris Mortensen was a shining example for everyone who does this job. Kind to all. Thoughtful and principled. He knew he had the best job in the world and never took it for granted. I cherished every conversation with him and feel lucky to have called him a friend. RIP, Mort. <a href="">

Brian McCarthy @NFLprguy

From <a href="">@nflcommish</a> <a href="">

Field Yates @FieldYates

Peyton Manning pays tribute to the legend Chris Mortensen. Speaks volumes to how much respect Mort had from the game's great players. 🙏💔 <a href="">

Mortensen announced in 2016 that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer and would be stepping away from his regular reporting duties. While receiving treatment that same year, he still managed to break the news of Peyton Manning's retirement, which earned the universal respect of his colleagues.

Also in 2016, Mortensen was the Pro Football Writers of America's Dick McCann Award winner and he was honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's enshrinement ceremony.

Prior to joining ESPN, Mortensen wrote for several newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as an investigative reporter who covered the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons and the NFL. He received the George Polk Award for reporting in 1987.

Mortensen also was one of the first writers hired by editor Frank Deford for the sports daily The National in 1989. He was also a columnist for The Sporting News, a contributor to Sport magazine, and a consultant for CBS Sports' NFL Today in 1990. Over his illustrious career, he received 18 awards in journalism and was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes.

Mortensen is survived by his wife Micki and his son Alex.