NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah delivered a heartfelt on-air tribute to his late mentor Chris Mortensen

The heartbreaking news that Chris Mortensen had died this weekend hit the sports world hard. A trailblazer in NFL coverage, so many people in and around the industry wholeheartedly adored the late former ESPN reporter for his work and, more importantly, for his kindness.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was undoubtedly one of the football people closer to the late Mortensen, his mentor. And when the news started publicly circulating around that Mortensen had died, NFL Network gave Jeremiah the floor during its scouting combine coverage to pay tribute to his friend.

Jeremiah handled it beautifully while live on air:

.@movethesticks and @richeisen honor the memory of the legendary Chris Mortensen, who passed away today at the age of 72.

Our thoughts are with his family and the ESPN family. pic.twitter.com/ehkj1BYar2

— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024

Everything about this is just wonderful.

From letting Mortensen’s family know how much he loved and appreciated them to noting that Jeremiah was talking to Mortensen about 2024 draft prospects only a day earlier, this was a perfect and fitting tribute. Kudos to Jeremiah for handling such a tough situation with aplomb and grace.