• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025

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

Panthers-Oilers Rematch Could Be Big in Canada. Will U.S. Ratings Dip?

Likely viewership declines in the U.S. are countered by robust Canadian audiences.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.

NBA East Finals Delivers Strong TV Ratings, but West Is Struggling

The Pacers and Thunder are both up 3–1 in their conference finals series.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
Around the Horn
May 23, 2025

Behind the Scenes of Around the Horn’s Final Days

FOS followed Tony Reali at the penultimate taping of the ESPN icon.
May 30, 2025

French Open Scheduling Sparks Backlash Over Women’s Time Slots

Coco Gauff has also said the French Open schedule could be improved.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
May 22, 2025

NBC Eyes MLB Rights, Looks to Own Sunday Nights Year-Round

The league continues to shop media rights being forfeited by ESPN.
May 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers’s WNBA Debut Delivers 121% Ratings Bump on Ion

Friday’s doubleheader averaged 612,000 viewers.
Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches as center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates after making a three point basket to clinch a win against the Toronto Raptors near the end of the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena.
May 20, 2025

NBA Playoff TV Ratings Up 3% Ahead of Late-Round Test

Games are averaging 4.17 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT.