sport news ESPN's Adam Schefter narrates emotional tribute to his friend and colleague ... trends now
ESPN's lead NFL insider Adam Schefter paid emotional tribute to his colleague and longtime friend Chris Mortensen, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 72.
Mortensen had been with ESPN from 1991 to 2023, when he left the network after that year's NFL Draft. Schefter joined 'The Worldwide Leader in Sports' in 2009 and was co-workers with 'Mort' for 14 years.
'It's easier to ask someone about dying once he has broken free of its grasp,' Schefter's tribute began.
'As my friend, my mentor and my on air partner, Chris Mortensen once did. After Mort was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer in 2015 - before fending it off in 2017 - he was asked what he would think and what would go through his mind if he knew he were dying, as he almost did.
'Mort said he would think of all his incredible life experiences, how blessed he has been, even with the heartbreaks along the way. He also added he would be sad to say goodbye to the people he loved, but he would be going to a place of glory.
Adam Schefter (L) narrated ESPN's tribute to late longtime NFL reporter Chris Mortensen (R)
Mortensen and Schefter had been co-workers at The Worldwide Leader for 14 years
'Chris Mortensen was born in Torrance, California, outside of Los Angeles in 1951. He served two years in the army during the Vietnam War, married his wife, Mickey, and raised his son, Alex, and established himself as one of the greatest reporters of all time while being an even better man.
'Mort began his reporting career at his hometown newspaper, the Daily Breeze, before moving on to cover the Braves, Falcons and the NFL at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In 1990, he was among the first reporters hired for the all sports newspaper, the National.
'Mort arrived at ESPN in 1991. He left behind the newspaper business to work on the NFL studio shows, SportsCenter, the NFL Draft and ESPN Radio. He was the reporter who could get to the
