Famed NFL reporter Chris Mortensen dies aged 72

ESPN's long-time renowned National Football League reporter Chris Mortensen died on Sunday aged 72.

Starting at ESPN in 1991, Mortensen appeared on the channel's Sunday NFL Countdown and was a regular contributor on SportsCenter.

The reporter was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer in 2016, but later returned to ESPN after successful cancer treatments.

ESPN said Mortensen was "widely respected as an industry pioneer".

He was "universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate", ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a 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 stepped away from ESPN last year to "focus on my health, family and faith", he said at the time.

The award-winning journalist - who helped break the news of quarterback Peyton Manning's retirement - is survived by his wife Micki and son Alex.

NFL executives and players took to social media to mourn his death.

"We lost a true legend," Mr Manning wrote in a post on Instagram. "Mort was the best in the business and I cherished our friendship. I trusted him with my announcement to sign with the Broncos and with the news of my retirement. I will miss him dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki & his family."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Mortensen's death was a "sad day for everyone in the NFL".

"I admired how hard Chris worked to become one of the most influential and revered reporters in sports," he said in a statement.