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Colleagues salute Chris Mortensen’s selection as PFWA’S 2016 Dick McCann Award winner

Chris Mortensen (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
Chris Mortensen
(Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)

Reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, represents the pinnacle achievement for NFL football players and coaches. The same can be said for NFL reporters.

Each year, the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) recognizes one of its own with the prestigious Dick McCann Award – a reporter who has made a long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage.

This year’s recipient is ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, who has covered the NFL for 32 years, including the last 25 at ESPN.

Mortensen will be honored during the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on Aug. 6. He is the third current or former member of ESPN.com to receive this honor, joining John Clayton (2007) and Len Pasquarelli (2008).

Mortensen, who continues to receive treatment following his Stage IV cancer diagnosis in January, is one of ESPN’s most admired and respected commentators. Several of his longtime co-workers and friends offer their congratulations following today’s McCann Award announcement.

As good of a reporter as he is, he’s a better man, teammate and friend, and the only thing that will give me more joy than seeing him get this award will be getting to work with him again this fall.
– Adam Scheffer talking about Chris Mortensen

ESPN Executive Vice President, Production and Programming, John Wildhack:
“Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Mort has had a profound impact on pro football and on how the league is covered, particularly at ESPN. He is one of our most respected and accomplished journalists, and the fact that his peers are honoring him with this award speaks volumes. We congratulate Mort and look forward to celebrating this achievement during Hall of Fame weekend.”

Chris Berman, ESPN NFL host:
“All of us are overjoyed and proud that Mort has won the McCann Award. Certainly not a surprise to us. He’s been a beacon for ESPN since the minute he walked in the door 25 years ago. More than his professional excellence, I value his friendship. I couldn’t be more thrilled for a great guy.”

John Clayton, ESPN senior NFL writer, former PFWA President (1999-2001) and 2007 McCann Award recipient:
“Chris is one of our profession’s greatest treasures. As a reporter, he is masterful. Like [legendary NFL reporter] Will McDonough did, Chris shows that accurate information can educate a fan base. Plus, in every segment, he provides the right information that keeps football fans in the know on what is happening in a rapidly changing sport.”

Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Insider and former PFWA President (2001-03):
“There is not a single person in our industry who is more deserving of any single award than Mort is for the McCann Award. It’s based on long and distinguished reporting in professional football, and there’s nobody who has done it longer or in a more distinguished way than Mort. As good of a reporter as he is, he’s a better man, teammate and friend, and the only thing that will give me more joy than seeing him get this award will be getting to work with him again this fall.”

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