ESPN's long-time National Football League reporter Chris Mortensen has died at the age of 72, the network confirmed on Sunday.
Mortensen joined ESPN in 1991 and became a familiar face on Sunday NFL Countdown and SportsCenter. He was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer in 2016 but returned to work after successful treatment.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro paid tribute, saying Mortensen was "widely respected as an industry pioneer" and "universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate". He added: "He covered the NFL with extraordinary skill and passion, and was at the top of his field for decades."
The award-winning journalist retired from ESPN last year to focus on his health, family and faith. He helped break the news of quarterback Peyton Manning's retirement in 2016.
Manning said on Instagram: "We lost a true legend. Mort was the best in the business and I cherished our friendship." NFL commissioner Roger Goodell described his death as a "sad day for everyone in the NFL".
Mortensen is survived by his wife Micki and son Alex.
