Sunday was a sad day around the NFL world. Shortly after 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, ESPN revealed the unfortunate news that the legendary Chris “Mort” Mortensen had passed away at the age of 72.
While Mort’s colleague, Adam Schefter, is known as the NFL’s premier news-breaker, that title belonged to Mortensen years before Schefter’s emergence. Originally a reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering the Braves and Falcons, Mortensen won several awards for his reporting.
In 1989, he was hired to cover the NFL at The National for two seasons. It was in 1991 that he would receive his big break at ESPN. For 32 years, Mort broke massive NFL stories for ESPN until he retired after the 2023 NFL draft.
It was in 2016 that Mortensen fought a courageous battle against throat cancer.
Mortensen is survived by his wife, Mikki, and son, Alex. Alex, a former college quarterback, is the current offensive coordinator at UAB under former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer.
After his death, tributes from around the NFL poured in honoring Mortensen.
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. https://t.co/7b7Im0vIFs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2024
Another great one has left us. So sad to hear of Chris Mortensen’s passing. Mort was a dear friend, and an award-winning legend. My heart goes out to his family ❤️🙏
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) March 3, 2024
Mort was a serious journalist, for sure, but he always had fun on the job, and he connected with everyone – including @SnoopDogg.
This photo from Sunday NFL Countdown's Super Bowl show in 2009 always makes me smile. pic.twitter.com/8trAD6J3jL
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) March 3, 2024
From @nflcommish pic.twitter.com/VG5EhVKKgu
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) March 4, 2024
The video tribute done for Mort when he won the Dick McCann Award to go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/Sg1HbjvwpI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2024
Chris Mortensen passed away this morning at the age of 72 as reported by @espn Rest in Peace to one of the pioneers of the sports reporting industry. Mort was more than a reporter, but a friend to many and a great teammate. Prayers up for the entire Mortensen Family. @mortreport pic.twitter.com/UVUdRvyIXI
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 3, 2024
An absolute legend.
One of the finest people you will ever meet.
Mort was everything you could want in a friend: loyal, caring, generous, thoughtful.
A devastating loss 💔💔💔 https://t.co/BJcYFA6SNA
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 3, 2024
When @sarapelissero revealed her diagnosis seven years ago, one of the first people to reach out was Mort, who was already well into his own fight.
Thankfully, Sara won her battle; by sheer virtue of how he fought and supported so many others, I’d say Mort won, too.
RIP, Mort. pic.twitter.com/MhI0oieUOU
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 3, 2024
"Is Jesus who he says he was?"
I'm so sad about Chris Mortensen's passing but was so fortunate to have him as a friend and have conversations with him on our @Sports_Spectrum podcast to have him share his faith story. This clip is from Mort's conversation with @JadeMcCarthy… pic.twitter.com/16sJbm34RP
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) March 3, 2024
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. pic.twitter.com/2J4C2itG5N
— Andrea Kremer (@Andrea_Kremer) March 3, 2024
Tough to put into words how much Chris Mortensen meant to our business—He accomplished so much. And along the way he did a lot for others. I'll never forget the random notes he'd send me while I was covering the lockout, before I knew him very well, to encourage me.
RIP Mort. pic.twitter.com/lLJHAvOW9s
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 3, 2024
Sad to hear the news of the passing of Chris Mortenson. Known for his decades long, first rate coverage of the @NFL for @espn. I got to know Mort as the beat writer for the @ajc covering the @Braves from 1983-85. A true pro, and easy to talk to. You could sense there were big…
— Dale Murphy (@DaleMurphy3) March 4, 2024
This was a beautiful tribute. I know Mort would have appreciated it greatly. https://t.co/ziODXaJ3b7
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 3, 2024
Rest in Peace Mort ! I had the honor of working with Mort for 28 years and could not have had a better friend.
My heart is broken.— Ron Jaworski (@JawsCEOQB) March 3, 2024
Before Twitter was born, it was Chris Mortensen and John Clayton where I got my up to the minute NFL News. RIP Mort and tell John hi for us.
— Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) March 3, 2024
Nice essay and tribute to Mort from @richeisen and DJ @MoveTheSticks at the end of NFL Combine coverage.
RIP Mort. pic.twitter.com/N0CEzVST0P
— Wes Reynolds (@WesReynolds1) March 3, 2024
It is heartbreaking reading this about one of my friends from @espn He was terrific in his speech at Gala when receiving the John Saunders Award .Mort was so so good on the @NFL scene. May Chris RIP ! via @ESPN App https://t.co/QUMA6xge29
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 3, 2024
Mort was the heart and soul of ESPN's NFL team for years. He was widely respected and adored, and he championed countless voices/reporters at ESPN and beyond.
And if you ever visited the Bristol 'war room' on Sundays to watch NFL games, he was the life of the party every week. pic.twitter.com/XI7Nezp1kK
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) March 3, 2024
This is the Mort I will remember forever. When I got the call from his beloved Wife today, I was on line for a ride at Disney World with my family. Nothing made him happier than when people took time away from their busy jobs to spend with family. My life will never be the same.… pic.twitter.com/KVZO25p0FI
— Seth Markman (@tunasweasel) March 3, 2024
Every single tribute to Mort is the same. The sincerity, decency, kindness, professionalism and humanity of the man is referenced by every team, player and colleague.
Believe them all.
Chris Mortensen was a wonderful soul.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) March 3, 2024
I’m gonna fucking miss you Mort!! R.I.P my friend. #OutForTheYear
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) March 3, 2024
Chris is a very dear friend and a great human being. I miss him dearly already.
Football and the world were lucky to have him here.
I will try to pay forward all the wisdom he blessed me with.
Love you Mort pic.twitter.com/eXmt34YOXo
— Steve Young (@SteveYoungQB) March 4, 2024
One of my favorite Chris Mortensen moments was this from the 2020 NFL draft with Daniel Jeremiah.
Mort helped so many. An icon in every sense.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 3, 2024
Chris Mortenson was a loyal and trusted friend. Mort cared about his Faith, family, friends, and football as much as anyone I’ve ever known. He treated me like family and helped me through some difficult times. His kindness was from his soul. A great example of courage. Another…
— Sean Salisbury (@SeanUnfiltered) March 3, 2024
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. #Mort
— Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) March 3, 2024
We send our deepest condolences to Chris Mortensen’s family and friends pic.twitter.com/P3h0N2IzRq
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) March 3, 2024
RIP my dear dear friend. Longtime tv partner and confidant. One of the very few people on earth I could trust with anything. All my love to Micki and Alex 💔 pic.twitter.com/OzccB5rgHX
— Suzy Kolber (@SuzyKolber) March 3, 2024
You could not have been a better friend, role model, or mentor. I love and miss you already, @mortreport. My sympathies to his wife Micki and son Alex. pic.twitter.com/U6ssOuAnAG
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 3, 2024
RIP Mort. Weird these guys are all gone pic.twitter.com/pzHmdSSl7h
— Matt Comnick (@mattcomnick) March 3, 2024
RIP Mort. Helluva reporter and helluva good man. pic.twitter.com/GYSzPZ890c
— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) March 3, 2024
RIP Mort. One of the all time finest men. You will be missed my friend. @espn @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/M2iTrdP32w
— Jim Mora (@CoachJimMoraFB) March 3, 2024
Devastated to hear about Mort’s passing. He was a legend and we spent so many hours together just talking football. I miss him dearly pic.twitter.com/gxiCULwKBG
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 3, 2024
The blessing for Mort having been here with us is that the list is long of people who felt they had a unique relationship with him. That’s because his kindness was unending, exemplified best through his sincere interest in knowing what was going on in our lives.
— Kenny Mayne (@Kenny_Mayne) March 3, 2024
Reflecting on the passing of Chris Mortensen 💙 pic.twitter.com/TBycc2JvT2
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 4, 2024
An NFL icon
Rest in peace, Mort 💛 https://t.co/sFa4LBIY8s
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 3, 2024
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2024
We send our condolences to the family and loved ones of Chris Mortensen. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/eijJnbe4um
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 4, 2024
Mort brought the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles into the living rooms of countless sports fans with class, professionalism, and a special touch. We are saddened by his passing and extend our condolences to his many friends and family. https://t.co/JtBGmQQJJA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 4, 2024
