Award-winning ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen dies at 72 - ESPN

Chris Mortensen, an award-winning journalist who reported on the NFL for ESPN for more than three decades, died Sunday morning at the age of 72, his family announced.

Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991 and was a regular contributor to the network's NFL shows and «SportsCenter.» He was a regular news breaker for ESPN, including the news in 2016 that quarterback Peyton Manning was retiring from the NFL.

Manning, in a post to Instagram, wrote that he was «heartbroken» by the news of Mortensen's death.

«We lost a true legend,» Manning said in his post. «Mort was the best in the business and I cherished our friendship. I trusted him with my announcement to sign with the Broncos and with the news of my retirement. I will miss him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki & his family. Rest in peace, Mort.»

A post shared by Peyton Manning (@peytonmanning)

In 2016, he received the Pro Football Writers of America's Dick McCann Award and was honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's enshrinement ceremony in August that year.

«Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,» Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. «He covered the NFL with extraordinary skill and passion, and was at the top of his field for decades. He will truly be missed by colleagues and fans, and our hearts and thoughts are with his loved ones.»

ESPN's Adam Schefter, a longtime colleague of Mortensen's on ESPN's «Sunday NFL Countdown,» said on social media: «An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man. Sincerest condolences to his family, and all who knew and loved him. So many did. Mort was the very best. He