NFL talent evaluator Daniel Jeremiah has talked frequently about how veteran NFL reporter Chris Mortensen has been his mentor since college.
On Sunday afternoon, ESPN made an announcement that Mortensen passed away at the age of 72.
Mortensen had been battling a severe cancer diagnosis and retired from his longtime role with the network following the NFL Draft last April.
Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah were closing out the final few minutes of combine coverage on the NFL Network when the devastating news hit the airwaves on Sunday.
“The news just broke just a few minutes ago that Chris Mortensen passed away at the age of just 72 this morning, and I know you got to know him and you love this man,” Eisen said to Jeremiah.
The NFL Draft expert and talent evaluator couldn’t contain his emotion while learning of Mortenson’s passing moments before the live coverage came to an end.
.@movethesticks and @richeisen honor the memory of the legendary Chris Mortensen, who passed away today at the age of 72.
Our thoughts are with his family and the ESPN family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ehkj1BYar2
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024
“Yeah he’s my mentor, he’s one of my best friends,” Daniel Jeremiah said as tears began to shadow over his eyes. “I don’t even want to talk about me, he’s done so much for me, I’ve said it enough I don’t even want to tell that story. I just want to look into the camera and tell MIckey his wife, and Alex his son, that every time I talked to Mort you guys came up, because he was so proud of you guys he loved you so much. Your’e always in his heart and you’re always in his mind. He’s a sweet, sweet person with a sweet family and that’s who I’m thinking about right now.”
“We will be thinking about you and everyone else that knew Chris Mortensen,” Eisen continued as Jeremiah struggled to keep his emotions contained. “Again he’s just one of the sweetest souls you will ever meet and he loved this sport and he loved being on top of it and getting you as interested and to love the sport as much as we all do. And again I send my condolences.”
Jeremiah then shared an amazing story that shows how much Mortensen truly cared about the NFL Combine, Draft and the prospects prepping to take the professional leap.
“He loved this game too, he just texted me yesterday. He wanted to know how Rattler did in the workout. So he wanted to know about Rattler and we texted back and forth yesterday. He loved this game and that’s why when we heard the last thing I wanted to do was come out here, but man, he would have punched me in the face if we didn’t do this and have fun and enjoy this great game that he loved so much.”
Eisen and Jeremiah then closed out the NFL Combine broadcast telling one another “I love you” before sending final condolences to Chris Mortensen’s family.
Daniel Jeremiah And Others Shared Stories Of Kindness After News Broke That ESPN Reporter Chris Mortensen Passed Away
It’s abundantly clear Mortensen was one of the kindest souls in an often cutthroat business and clearly left an impression on everyone he worked with and even reporters from other media outlets he respected.
Tributes came pouring in when the news broke on Sunday afternoon.
Longtime SI NFL Insider Albert Breer shared a text from Mortensen encouraging him and thanking him for his coverage even though the two weren’t close at the time.
Tough to put into words how much Chris Mortensen meant to our business—He accomplished so much. And along the way he did a lot for others. I'll never forget the random notes he'd send me while I was covering the lockout, before I knew him very well, to encourage me.
RIP Mort. pic.twitter.com/lLJHAvOW9s
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 3, 2024
Tough to put into words how much Chris Mortensen meant to our business—He accomplished so much. And along the way he did a lot for others. I’ll never forget the random notes he’d send me while I was covering the lockout, before I knew him very well, to encourage me. RIP Mort
I will never forget how kind Chris Mortenson was. I joined ESPN in 2011, having never worked in media, and he – more than anyone else – made sure I was ok, and deferred to me in segments. And when my father died, he was one of first people to reach out to me. A gem of a man
People impact your life, personally and professionally, in various ways at various levels. 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.