ESPN Reporter Chris Mortensen Diagnosed With Throat Cancer

Get well soon, Mort.

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Complex Original

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If you spend even a little bit of your time everyday following NFL football, then you know the name Chris Mortensen. Mortensen and his ESPN co-worker Adam Schefter are two of the most prominent NFL reporters in the country and have broken some of the biggest stories over the course of the last few years. But earlier today, Mortensen announced that he has been diagnosed with throat cancer and that he is stepping away from his duties at ESPN for the time being.

“More than a week ago, I was diagnosed with a Stage IV throat cancer,” he said in a statement. “My focus shifted significantly to gathering information about the specifics of this cancer. The initial diagnosis was confirmed Friday and there is another test remaining that will determine the best possible treatment plan that will commence in the very immediate future. Consequently, with the support and encouragement from ESPN president John Skipper and many others at ESPN, I am temporarily stepping away from my normal NFL coverage duties to better engage this opportunity to fight the good fight that is projected to affect almost 1.7 million Americans with new cases in 2016.”

Mortensen, 64, has been with ESPN since 1991 and regularly appears on Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL Live, NFL Insiders, and more. Get well soon, Mort.

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[via Sports Illustrated]

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