Christian Anthony Mortensen, better known as "Mort" to his friends, was an American journalist recognized for his groundbreaking work in year-round NFL news reporting. He was considered a pioneer in the field, dedicating his career to covering the National Football League throughout the year.
Chris Mortensen, known as "Mort", was born on November 7, 1951. He would go on to become a renowned American journalist and pioneer in year-round NFL reporting.
Chris Mortensen's journalism career began in 1969 at the South Bay Daily Breeze.
Chris Mortensen won the National Headliner Award for Investigative Reporting in 1978.
Chris Mortensen joined the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1983, where he would work for seven years.
Chris Mortensen started his extensive Super Bowl coverage in 1985. He would go on to cover every Super Bowl except for Super Bowl 50.
Chris Mortensen received the prestigious George Polk Award in 1987 for his impactful reporting.
In 1989, Chris Mortensen became one of the first writers hired by editor Frank Deford at The National, where he covered the NFL.
In 1990, Chris Mortensen left the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after seven years of working there.
Chris Mortensen authored the book "Playing for Keeps: How One Man Kept the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Pro Football," which was released in 1991.
Chris Mortensen made his first appearance on ESPN in 1991, becoming the network's first "insider." He quickly established himself as a pioneer in "insider" reporting for the NFL on national television, breaking significant news like Peyton Manning's retirement.
In 1999, Chris Mortensen created and released the film "The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling."
The AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts took place on January 18, 2015, sparking controversy over the alleged deflation of footballs. This event later led to an erroneous report by Chris Mortensen.
On January 21, 2015, Chris Mortensen incorrectly reported that 11 of 12 footballs used in the AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts on January 18, 2015, were underinflated.
Chris Mortensen was scheduled to appear on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan radio show on July 31, 2015, but cancelled. He stated he would not be made a centerpiece of the misreported deflated footballs story.
Despite being debunked by the Wells Report, Chris Mortensen's initial story regarding the deflated footballs in the AFC Championship game remained on ESPN without corrections, clarifications, or an apology as late as August 13, 2015.
On January 15, 2016, Chris Mortensen publicly announced his diagnosis of stage IV throat cancer through an ESPN statement. Consequently, he took a leave of absence from his on-air work at ESPN.
In August 2016, Chris Mortensen was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame during its enshrinement ceremony.
Chris Mortensen left ESPN in April 2023 after the 2023 NFL draft due to health complications related to his throat cancer.
Chris Mortensen passed away on March 3, 2024, at the age of 72. He died at his son's home in Irondale, Alabama, after an eight-year battle with stage IV throat cancer.
The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the...
Peyton Manning nicknamed the Sheriff is a retired American football...
Football is a family of team sports centered around kicking...
News encompasses information about current events disseminated through various media...
Alabama is a state in the Southeastern United States bordered...
Books are a means of storing information as text or...
1 month ago Roman Reigns eyes Street Fighter role alongside Jason Momoa, Koji, and Centineo.
3 months ago Kerry Carpenter shines in Tigers' home opener, earning 'Kerry Bonds' nickname.
2 months ago Sam Merrill's Clutch Shot: Family Legacy and NBA Dream Fulfilled, Spot Start Success
21 days ago Rhea Ripley warns Tiffany Stratton on SmackDown; King & Queen tournaments announced.
26 days ago AEW and WWE Stars Unite at Netflix Event: Raquel Rodriguez and More!
2 hours ago Randy Orton at Night of Champions 2025; Cody Rhodes Wins King of Ring
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Cristiano Ronaldo often called CR is a Portuguese professional footballer...
A blue moon is defined in several ways most commonly...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a Uganda-born American politician representing New...
Candace Owens is an American conservative and far-right political commentator...