Chris Mortensen, one of the most respected and influential journalists in the history of the National Football League (NFL), passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 72. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Micki Mortensen, and his son, Alex, a coach and former professional quarterback.
Mortensen, who retired from ESPN in September 2023, after more than three decades of covering the NFL for the network, was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer in January 2016. He fought bravely against the disease, continuing to report on the league he loved and breaking some of the biggest stories of his career, such as Peyton Manning’s retirement and Tom Brady’s suspension.
He was widely admired and respected by his colleagues, peers, and fans, who appreciated his passion, professionalism, and integrity. He was also a pioneer in the field of sports journalism, winning 18 awards and receiving two Pulitzer Prize nominations. He was honored with the prestigious Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award in 2016, and was recognized during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony that year.
Early Life, Birthday and Career
Chris Mortensen was born on November 7, 1951 (age: 72 years, when died in 2024), in Torrance, California. He was the son of Louis Christian Mortensen, a Danish immigrant who worked as a carpenter, and Maren Nielsen, a Norwegian immigrant who was a homemaker. He had two brothers, Mark and Paul, and a sister, Karen.
Mortensen grew up in a modest and hardworking family, and developed a love for sports at an early age. He played football, basketball, and baseball in high school, and dreamed of becoming a professional athlete. However, he realized that he had more talent for writing than playing, and decided to pursue a career in journalism.
He started his reporting career in 1969, at the age of 18, working for the South Bay (California) Daily Breeze. He covered various beats, including high school sports, police, courts, and city hall. He also served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1974, and was stationed in Germany.
After his military service, he resumed his journalism career, working for several newspapers and magazines, such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Sporting News, the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He covered various sports, including college football, basketball, baseball, golf, and tennis, but his main focus was the NFL.
Chris Mortensen gained recognition and respect for his investigative and analytical skills, as well as his ability to break news and scoop stories. He won the George Polk Award in 1987, for his reporting on the NFL’s drug scandal, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize twice, in 1982 and 1989, for his coverage of the NFL and college sports.
Chris Mortensen Wiki/Bio
| Name | Chris Mortensen |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | November 7, 1951 |
| Birth Place | Torrance, California |
| Death Date | March 3, 2024 |
| Death Place | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Cause of Death | Throat cancer |
| Age | 72 |
| Spouse | Micki Mortensen (m. 1980 – 2024) |
| Children | Alex Mortensen |
| Grandchildren | Luke and Lily Mortensen |
| Parents | Louis Christian Mortensen and Maren Nielsen |
| Siblings | Mark Mortensen, Paul Mortensen, and Karen Mortensen |
| Education | North Torrance High School, El Camino College, and Long Beach State University |
| Occupation | Sports journalist |
| Employer | ESPN (1991 – 2023) |
| Awards | George Polk Award (1987), Dick McCann Award (2016), National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame (2017), and 15 other awards |
| Pulitzer Prize Nominations | 2 (1982 and 1989) |
| Books | “Playing for Keeps: How One Man Kept the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Pro Football” (1991), “The NFL Encyclopedia” (1997), and “The Super Bowl: Celebrating a Quarter-Century of America’s Greatest Game” (2000) |
| @mortreport | |
| Wikipedia | @chrismortensen |
| Homepage | Newsunzip |
ESPN Career and Legacy
In 1991, Chris Mortensen joined ESPN, the leading sports media network in the world, and became one of its most prominent and influential voices. He reported on the NFL across various platforms, such as SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live, NFL Insiders, and NFL Matchup. He also wrote for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, and appeared on ESPN Radio and podcasts.
He was known for his deep knowledge, insight, and analysis of the NFL, as well as his ability to break news and report on the most important and controversial stories of the league. He was the first to report on some of the biggest stories of his era, such as Brett Favre’s retirement and unretirement, the Spygate scandal, the Bountygate scandal, the Deflategate scandal, and many more.
He was also respected and trusted by his sources, who included players, coaches, executives, agents, and league officials. He had a reputation for being fair, accurate, and ethical, and for maintaining a high standard of journalism. He was also a mentor and a friend to many of his colleagues, who admired his work ethic, professionalism, and generosity.
Chris Mortensen was honored with many awards and accolades for his excellence and contributions to the field of sports journalism. He received the Dick McCann Award in 2016, which is given annually by the Pro Football Writers of America to a reporter who has made a long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage. He was also inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
He retired from ESPN in September 2023, after 33 years of service, to focus on his health, family, and faith. He announced his retirement in a heartfelt message, saying, “I have been blessed in so many ways throughout my life, but certainly over the last 34 years at ESPN. I have now decided to retire. I appreciate the company’s graciousness in honoring my request. I have many blessings, but none greater than my precious wife, Micki, and son, Alex, who have been my pillars of strength and support. They have been with me every step of the way during my long and challenging journey, which has been filled with both triumphs and trials. They have given me the courage, inspiration, and love that I needed to carry on. They are my everything.”
He also thanked his colleagues, peers, and fans, saying, “I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of my ESPN colleagues, past and present, for their support, friendship, and guidance. They are the best in the business, and I am proud to have worked with them. I also want to thank all of the people in the NFL, who have been so kind, generous, and respectful to me over the years. They have made my job easier and more enjoyable. And finally, I want to thank all of the fans, who have followed my work and given me their feedback, whether positive or negative. They have kept me on my toes and motivated me to do my best.”
Spouse, Kids, Personal Life and Family
Chris Mortensen was married to Micki Mortensen, whom he met in 1978, when they were both working for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. They got married in 1980, and had a son, Alex, in 1985. They were a devoted and loving couple, who supported each other through thick and thin.
Micki Mortensen was a journalist, editor, and author, who worked for various publications, such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Sporting News, and ESPN The Magazine. She also wrote several books, including “The NFL Encyclopedia” and “The Super Bowl: Celebrating a Quarter-Century of America’s Greatest Game”. She was also a cancer survivor, who battled breast cancer in 2008.
Alex Mortensen was a coach and former professional quarterback, who played college football at Arkansas, Samford, and Arkansas State. He also played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, the Tennessee Titans, and the Washington Redskins, as well as in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts. He was currently the quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Rams.
He was very close to his wife and son, and often praised them for their achievements and support. He once said, “My wife and son are my heroes. They are the best things that ever happened to me. They are my rock and my joy. They have given me so much love, happiness, and strength. I don’t know what I would do without them.”
Mortensen was also a man of faith, who believed in God and relied on His grace. He was a Christian, who attended the Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. He often shared his faith and testimony and credited God for his healing and recovery.
On this date, 1984, Micki and I wed.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 29, 2022
No frills. Just us, a pastor, family & friends and it was perfect. ✝️
We’ve had the full experience that comes with 38 years.
“For better or worse, good times and bad, sickness and in health…”
Happy Anniversary, sweetie!
❤️❤️ better than ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zQMvCHvl8C
He once said, “God has been so good to me. He has given me hope and peace. He has shown me His mercy and power. He has answered my prayers and the prayers of so many people. He has been my refuge and my fortress. He has been my healer and my savior.”
Height, Weight
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Eye color: Brown
- Skin color: White
- Hair color: White
- Shoe size: 10 US
Net Worth and Death
Chris Mortensen had an estimated net worth of $6 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He earned his wealth from his long and successful career as a sports journalist, working for various newspapers, magazines, and networks, especially ESPN. He was one of the highest-paid and most influential reporters in the industry, and had a loyal and large fan base.
He died on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 72, after a long and courageous battle with throat cancer. He passed away peacefully at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas, with his wife and son by his side. He is survived by his wife, Micki, his son, Alex, his daughter-in-law, Lauren, his grandchildren, Luke and Lily, his brothers, Mark and Paul, his sister, Karen, and many other relatives and friends.
Mortensen’s death was announced by ESPN, which issued a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Chris Mortensen. He was a legend in the field of sports journalism, and a pillar of ESPN for more than three decades. He was also a courageous and inspiring fighter, who never gave up on his passion and his purpose. He will be greatly missed by all of us at ESPN, and by the entire NFL community, which he served with excellence and integrity. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Micki, his son, Alex, and his entire family. We thank them for sharing him with us, and for their grace and strength during this difficult time.”
Mortensen’s death was also mourned by many of his colleagues, peers, and fans, who took to social media and other platforms to express their grief, gratitude, and admiration. They shared their memories, stories, and tributes, celebrating his life and legacy, and honoring his impact and influence on the NFL and the world of sports journalism.
