Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning paid tribute to the late Chris Mortensen on Sunday following the NFL analyst’s passing at the age of 72. Manning, who led both the Colts and the Broncos, noted how he trusted Mortensen with his retirement announcement in 2016.
“Heartbroken,” Manning wrote in a post on Instagram. “We lost a true legend. 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.”
Mortensen began his career in journalism in 1969. He covered news, investigations, and of course, sports, before making his first appearance on the world leader in sports broadcasting, ESPN, in 1991. That year, he released a book titled, Playing for Keeps: How One Man Kept the Mob from Sinking Its Hooks into Pro Football.
Tributes to Mortensen began pouring in on Sunday night, including many from his former colleagues. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero shared how the former analyst reached out to him when his wife was battling her health issue.
Colts owner Jim Irsay also took to social media to share a message: “Another great one has left us. So sad to hear of Chris Mortensen’s passing. Mort was a dear friend, and an award-winning legend. My heart goes out to his family.”
Former colleagues pay tribute to Mortensen
“People impact your life, personally and professionally, in various ways at various levels,” Louis Riddick posted on X. “Chris Mortenson impacted mine to the greatest extent he could given our relationship at ESPN from day one. He did everything he could to help me in all ways, and my respect and gratitude for his friendship has no limit.
“Mort was the very best. He was a Titan in the industry. A pillar of respect. Our business has a gigantic void without him. I feel for all that knew him and loved him, and my deepest condolences to his family. RIP my friend.”
“From the moment I began working at ESPN in 2007, this man was the kindest, most supportive soul,” former ESPN host Sage Steele shared. “Every single time I saw him, he took the time to ask about my entire family….to share stories about my brother @CSteele32 with the @Ravens and especially to ask about my dad. Both Mort & my dad shared a battle against cancer…a battle that he told me he never feared because of his faith in God.
“Watching him fight for so long, to keep working (for years) despite the pain & discomfort, to choose to smile no matter what…inspired me to dig deeper into my own faith. Mort constantly prayed for my dad, and also sent me texts & scriptures during my struggles with ESPN. I’m so blessed to have been able to call Chris Mortensen a teammate for so long, and most of all, a dear friend. He was simply the best. Mort, you will be missed and loved forever!!”
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