Longtime ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen dies at 72

Longtime ESPN commentator Chris Mortensen has died at age 72, the cable sports channel announced Sunday.”Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a social media 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.”Mortensen retired last April after having covered his 33rd NFL draft. Since he started at ESPN in 1991, he…