ESPN's Chris Mortensen is "temporarily stepping down" from his NFL assignments "because of Stage IV throat cancer," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. Sources said that Mortensen has been "feeling sick for the past couple of months." The 64-year-old has "been a central figure in ESPN’s football coverage" since joining the network in '91, and was currently appearing on multiple network shows both on television and radio. ESPN's Adam Schefter said that he and a core group of co-workers "learned of the diagnoses last Friday in an email." He said that Mortensen "has not gotten treatment yet but remains upbeat and practical about what is facing him." Schefter: "He’s very matter of fact about it, like he is working the details of the story. He has a positive attitude. He is convinced that he will beat this" (SI.com, 1/15). CNN's Tom Kludt noted there was an "outpouring of sympathy for Mortensen from colleagues on Twitter." His "nickname, 'Mort,' became a trending topic shortly after" ESPN anchor Suzy Kolber "announced Mortensen's diagnosis on-air Friday afternoon." Kolber said, "Mort, we all want you to know: your fight is our fight" (MONEY.CNN.com, 1/15). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio wrote, "We look forward to seeing him back on the air as soon as possible" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 1/15).
SUPPORT FOR MORT: THE MMQB's Peter King writes there are "two competing traits that don’t always mesh" with people in the reporting business, but they work for Mortensen -- "Ardent competitor, incredibly nice person." Fox' Jay Glazer said, "While this business has gotten so much more competitive, and lousier, he’s never gone there, once. I mean, I’m his main competitor, and there were times I’d call him and ask for professional advice, and he’d call me back as quick as he’d call back his best sources. He’s the epitome of a good person" (MMQB.SI.com, 1/18). ESPN's Taylor Twellman wrote on Twitter that Fox' Joe Buck and Troy Aikman "couldn't have been more classy with their shout out to @mortreport and his battle with cancer" during yesterday's Panthers-Seahawks game. ESPN's Matthew Berry wrote, "Nice shoutout by Joe Buck & Troy Aikman" (TWITTER.com, 1/17).
