• Loading stock data...
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

ESPN’s Original NFL Insider Chris Mortensen Retires 

  • After 31 seasons covering the NFL for ESPN, Mortensen announces his retirement.
  • Mortensen was diagnosed with cancer in 2016.
Chris Mortensen
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Chris Mortensen unexpectedly announced his retirement from ESPN, a decision the longtime NFL insider said he made months ago. 

“It’s time to reveal after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a decision to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, family and faith,” Mortensen wrote on social media Tuesday. “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, 71, has worked at ESPN since 1991 and was a staple on various NFL-centric programs for decades. Mortensen isn’t expected to appear on any of the network’s platforms this season, a source told Front Office Sports. 

Over the decades, the pioneering Mortensen paved the way for influential NFL Insiders such as ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Fox Sports Jay Glazer, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.

“Best of the best,” ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “What an honor it’s been to spend time with Mort and learn from him. A true titan in this industry and an inspiration in every aspect of his remarkable life and career.”

Mortensen was diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer in early 2016. In an August 2016 statement, Mortensen said he underwent “intensive chemotherapy and radiation.”

His cancer diagnosis and the fight against it forced him to miss Super Bowl 50 in February 2016 — the only Super Bowl Mortensen hasn’t covered since 1985, according to ESPN. 

Before arriving at ESPN, Mortensen was one of the first writers hired at The National, a daily sports tabloid that — despite having some of the most talented reporters at the time — lasted all of 18 months before it ceased operation in 1991. 

Mortensen served two years in the Army during the Vietnam War. He began his reporting career at the Daily Breeze in 1969, his hometown paper in Torrance, Calif.  

Mortensen won 18 journalism awards — and was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes — during a career that included stints at the the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Sporting News and as a consultant at CBS Sports’ NFL Today.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.
opinion

19 Rising Stars in Sports Media

Who are sports media’s rising stars? Here’s an inside look.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.