Chris Mortensen, a prominent figure in NFL media, faced a challenging period in his life when he was diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer in January 2016. This diagnosis led to intensive treatment, significant weight loss, and a temporary departure from his role as an ESPN NFL analyst. However, Mortensen's resilience, faith, and the support of his family, colleagues, and the NFL community helped him navigate this difficult journey. This article delves into Mortensen's health battle, his weight loss journey, and his eventual return to ESPN, highlighting the impact he had on the world of sports journalism.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In January 2016, Chris Mortensen announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer. The news prompted an outpouring of support from family, friends, colleagues, and the NFL community. Mortensen began intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Mortensen released a statement through ESPN MediaZone, confirming hopeful developments revealed by his scans. He stated that the cancer had been virtually reduced to zero detection of the disease through the latest scans and exams.
The Road to Recovery: Weight Loss and Rehab
The intensive treatments took a toll on Mortensen's body, resulting in lengthy hospitalization, significant weight loss, and related health issues affecting his strength and endurance. In his statement, Mortensen acknowledged the challenges he faced, noting the need for recovery and rehabilitation to regain his strength and overall health.
Mortensen focused on recovering from the treatments that resulted in lengthy hospitalization, significant weight loss, strength, endurance, and related health issues.
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Anticipated Return to ESPN
Despite the challenges, Mortensen remained optimistic about his return to ESPN. In his statement, he expressed his anticipation of being able to participate in NFL coverage on a limited basis as the 2016 season got underway.
ESPN senior coordinating producer Seth Markman expressed his encouragement at Mortensen's positive news. He affirmed that Mortensen's chair on their set would be waiting for him when he was able to return, emphasizing his status as a beloved member of the ESPN team.
Faith and Gratitude
Throughout his battle with cancer, Mortensen remained steadfast in his faith. Mortensen, who called himself a "Jesus follower" on social media, has always been sustained by his Heavenly Father. He openly shared his reliance on God and expressed gratitude for the support he received. In his statement, Mortensen, along with his wife Micki, conveyed their deepest gratitude and humility for the outpouring of love they received. They emphasized that their hope remained rooted in their deep faith in God and expressed their gratitude to their caring team at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Mortensen said on the podcast, “Our faith and trust is to be in the Lord and the Lord only,” Mortensen said on the podcast. “It’s not in man, because man will let us down. The flesh lets us down. We all know that. We know we’re gonna have trials and tribulations in life, it’s in the Bible,” Mortensen said. “We know there’s going to be many discouraging times, and we’re gonna be put to the test. “… I’ve had low moments, certainly low moments. And I’ve had to say, ‘I just give up, Lord. You take it. All these six things right now are overwhelming me. You take it. I can’t handle it.’ And you know what?
A Career of Influence
Chris Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991 and became a staple of the station's NFL coverage. As a senior NFL analyst, he became the face of several shows on the network, including NFL Insiders, Sunday NFL Countdown, and Monday Night Countdown.
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Mortensen is credited with helping pioneer the job of a sports news breaker who had the ability to bring reporting and analysis to a variety of shows and platforms. He helped pave the way for the network's other well-known insiders, like Adam Schefter.
The Pioneer of NFL Insiders
Chris Mortensen wasn’t the first football scribe to make the jump to TV full-time, but, after joining ESPN in 1991, he became the most prominent, a pioneer of what’s become ubiquitous today: the insider.
A Reporter at Heart
In 1994, the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars lured Mortensen away from ESPN for a role as vice president on the personnel side. They wanted him to help build their football team. Mort accepted the gig, only to emotionally back out a few days later, mainly because Micki didn’t want to move to Jacksonville.
Mentorship and Friendship
Mort and Schefter grew incredibly tight. “That sort of thing never happens,” says Bryan Curtis, who writes about sports media for The Ringer. “People who get to that level are very, very competitive, and in almost every instance, it doesn’t work. This did. And it allowed ESPN to own NFL scoops for 10 years.”
Mort was the best kind of mentor. When Jeremiah was still in college, he walked into his parents’ living room one afternoon and wondered why the guy from ESPN was sitting on the couch. It was January 1998, a week before the Broncos played the Packers in the Super Bowl in San Diego, and Mort was in town to cover the game.
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Breaking News and Earning Trust
More than merely breaking news, he loved to uncover the why behind a firing or the release of a player or a trade. That took time. And trust.
On the job, Mort was a disciplined reporter - “the last of the old school guys,” Schefter calls him. He’d bicker with Markman, agitated over some of the segments they’d run on ESPN. Mort loathed hot takes. He’d grumble each time one of the NFL shows ran its “Safe or Out” segment, a debate about which NFL coaches were about to get fired. “These are human beings,” Mort argued. “We’re talking about people’s lives here.”
Recognition and Accolades
Mortensen's reporting won him several awards, including the National Headliner Award for Investigative Reporting, which he won in 1978. In 2016, Mortensen received the prestigious Professional Football Writers of America's Dick McCann Award.
Tributes and Remembrance
Following his passing on March 3, tributes poured in from across the sports world, highlighting Mortensen's impact as a journalist, colleague, and friend. Many remembered his humor, integrity, and dedication to his craft.
The Man Behind the Reporter
They didn’t come for the reporter. They came for the man. Former head coaches. Current general managers. Hundreds of ESPN colleagues who overlapped with Mortensen during his 32-year run at the network - Adrian Wojnarowski even flew in during the NBA playoffs - descended on a small Arkansas town last week to remember one of the most influential reporters in NFL history. But they didn’t tell stories about what he did. They told stories about who he was.
A Lasting Impact
Mortensen's legacy extends beyond his accomplishments as a reporter. He was a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration to many. His influence on the world of sports journalism will continue to be felt for years to come.
Retirement and Reflection
Longtime NFL broadcaster and journalist Chris Mortensen announced he stepped away from his role with ESPN earlier this year.
“The gratitude and humility is overwhelming. It’s not a classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking ball. It’s just time. God Bless you all," Mortensen wrote in a social media post.