Legendary ESPN NFL Reporter Chris Mortensen Dead at 72

NFL reporter Chris Mortensen, who lined soccer for many years and was one of the vital recognizable reporters on TV, is lifeless.

Chris died Sunday morning in accordance with his longtime employer, ESPN. The reason for loss of life is unclear.

Mortensen was a staple of ESPN’s protection of the NFL for many years … most well-known for his TV segments, dubbed the Mort Report.

Chris was typically featured on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “SportsCenter” and “Monday Night Football” … along with writing and doing radio hits at ESPN.

Mortensen needed to step away from TV in 2016, when he revealed he was battling stage 4 throat most cancers. He in the end returned to work at ESPN, however in September 2023 he retired from the community.

“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro says. “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.”

Chris was 72.