Two elderly men were killed after the sports utility vehicle (SUV) they were in lost control and crashed into the back of a trailer at KM366 northbound of the North-South Expressway near Slim River. — pix courtesy of the Muallim police
Washington WR Rome Odunze delivers some humorous replies to curveball questions from the media at the NFL Combine.
Chris Mortensen, an award-winning writer who covered the NFL for nearly four decades, including 32 years as a senior analyst for ESPN, died Sunday morning. He was 72.
ESPN confirmed Mortensen’s death on Sunday. There was no immediate information on the cause or location of death.
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hardworking teammate,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro stated. “He covered the NFL with exceptional skill and passion and was at the top of his game for decades. He will be deeply missed by colleagues and fans, and our hearts and thoughts are with his loved ones.
Mortensen revealed in 2016 that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer. Even while under treatment, he was the first to confirm the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.
“We lost a true legend,” Manning stated in a social media post. “Mort was the greatest in the business, and I valued our friendship. I trusted him with my decision to join with the Broncos and my retirement announcement. I shall greatly miss him, and my thoughts and prayers are with Micki and his family. “Rest in peace, Mort.”
Mortensen announced his retirement following the NFL draft last year to “focus on my health, family, and faith.”
According to NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, Mortensen texted him at the end of Sunday’s broadcast at the NFL Scouting Combine to inquire how he believed Spencer Rattler would perform during the quarterback exercises in Indianapolis.
“He’s just one of the sweetest souls you will have ever met, and he loved his sport,” he said. “That’s why, when we learned about it, the last thing I wanted to do was come out here. But, man, he’d hit me in the face if we didn’t do this, have fun, and enjoy this wonderful game that he adored.”
