Chris Mortensen Retires From ESPN To “Focus On My Health, Family And Faith”
05.09.2023 - 23:07
/ deadline.com
One NFL insider voice that ESPN viewers will not be listening to as the new season kicks off is Chris Mortensen as the football analyst has announced his retirement from the network.
Mortensen had quietly quit the sports network earlier this year and ahead of the start of the NFL season has made it public to all of his fans.
“Excited about another season but it’s time to reveal after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a decision to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, family and faith,” he shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Luckily for fans who have been following his career for 33 years, he’s still going to be giving his hot takes on the NFL.
“The gratitude and humility is overwhelming. It’s not a classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking ball. It’s just time. God Bless you all,” he added.
Excited about another season but it’s time to reveal after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a decision to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, family and faith.
The gratitude and humility is overwhelming.
It’s not a classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking ball.…
Following his announcement, his colleagues flooded the replies with words dedicated to his honor.
Adam Schefter shared a photo of himself and Mortensen on the latter’s last appearance on ESPN.
“It never will be the same without him by my side, and all those times will be remembered with remarkable fondness. Working next to Mort was the honor of a lifetime,” Schefter added.
In a separate post, Schefter said, “There has been no greater honor than to work with, and learn from, a man on ESPN’s Mount Rushmore. He has been an exemplary husband, father, friend and co-worker. He paved the way in this industry. He is a legend.