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Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesESPN football analyst Chris Mortensen is taking time off from the network to battle Stage IV throat cancer.
Longtime ESPN football analyst Chris Mortensen has been diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer and will take an immediate leave of absence to undergo treatment.
Mortensen, 64, learned of the diagnosis last week but made the news public Friday in an official statement through ESPN.
“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.”
The veteran reporter, who’s been at the network since 1991, said he’s awaiting further test results to “determine the best possible treatment plan that will commence in the very immediate future.”
Friends and colleagues quickly flooded Twitter with messages of support for Mortensen.
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“Chris Mortensen was a great colleague and mentor for me when I was at ESPN. Godspeed and best wishes to you in your battle,” former ESPNer and current NBA.com reporter David Aldridge tweeted.
Dick Vitale offered a Twitter pep-talk to his longtime colleague.
“My prayers go to @mortreport / pls pray 4 Chris / wish u the best / Keep fighting / Have Faith / Think Positive.”
ESPN, meanwhile, wished Mortensen “strength and hope in the battle ahead and look forward to his return whenever he chooses.”
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