Chris Mortensen Death: ESPN Journalist Dies At 72

With heavy hearts, the sports journalism community mourns the loss of Chris Mortensen, a revered figure renowned for his comprehensive NFL coverage on ESPN. Mortensen, aged 72, passed away on Sunday morning, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career spanning more than thirty years.

As news of his passing ripples through the sports world, many ponder the cause while reflecting on his remarkable career. Throughout his journey, Mortensen’s NFL coverage was marked by unparalleled skill and passion, solidifying his reputation as one of the most revered journalists in the field.

Mortensen leaves behind his wife of nearly four decades, Micki Mortensen, aged 65, and their son Alex Mortensen, aged 38, who is a former quarterback and current football coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The recent passing of esteemed journalist Chris Mortensen has prompted a closer examination of his illustrious career, net worth, and the circumstances surrounding his death. Let’s take a closer look at this article.

Chris Mortensen Cause Of Death: How Did He Die?

In January 2016, Mortensen disclosed his diagnosis of Stage IV throat cancer, a challenging fight he bravely confronted for years. Despite the obstacles, Mortensen persisted in his dedication, delivering insightful commentary and analysis to football enthusiasts worldwide.

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In April of the following year, Mortensen declared his retirement following his coverage of the 33rd NFL draft. His exit signaled the conclusion of a significant chapter for ESPN and the sports broadcasting community.

Although his family announced the news, the official cause of Mortensen’s death has not been disclosed.

About Chris Mortensen’s Net Worth & Career

Renowned journalist Chris Mortensen, aged 72, passed away unexpectedly on March 3, 2024. Hailing from Torrance, California, Mortensen had a longstanding career with ESPN. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth was estimated to be $6 million.

Chris’ notable contributions include reporting for ESPN on various platforms such as Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, SportsCenter, ESPN.com, and ESPN Radio. Before his tenure at ESPN, Mortensen served in the Army during the Vietnam War and began his career with the Daily Breeze newspaper in his hometown. He later worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1983 to 1990 and at The National from 1989 to 1990 before joining ESPN in 1991.

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Aside from his journalistic endeavors, Mortensen authored the book “Playing for Keeps: How One Man Kept the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Pro Football” and produced a film titled “The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling” in 1999.

Throughout his career, he garnered several journalism awards, including the National Headliner Award for Investigative Reporting in 1978. However, Mortensen also faced criticism, notably in 2015 when he inaccurately reported on the Deflategate controversy.