Christopher Martin Palmer

Christopher Martin Palmer, 53, of Los Angeles, California was peacefully called home to the Lord with his family by his side during the early evening of October 25, 2025. Chris was born in Washington, D.C. on March 17, 1972, to Ransford and Sally Palmer.

His parents encouraged athletics and academics. As a youth, Chris participated in track and field events, performing well in various disciplines, but in the early 1980s the growing sport of Bicycle Motocross Racing (BMX) soon drew all his attention. With the dedicated help of their mother, Chris and his brother Geoff traveled to many tracks to compete in events and won countless races.

Chris attended Central High School in Capitol Heights, Maryland, which is a magnet school attracting students throughout Prince George’s County. Chris played basketball and continuously analyzed the game. His determination and commitment paid off in his senior year, when Chris led his team, the Central Falcons, to victory winning the 1990 Maryland State High School Basketball Championship.

After High School, Chris earned an athletic scholarship to play basketball at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Following his freshmen year Chris transferred to Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he earned an academic scholarship to study Journalism. Chris took his studies seriously and focused on developing a strong and unique writing style. In 1998 he received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis on Print Media.

During his Senior year Chris was strongly encouraged by his professors to attend a media career fair with an emphasis on emerging young journalists. As a result, Chris secured an internship with Sports Illustrated for Kids in New York, New York.

The editors at Sports Illustrated were very impressed and offered Chris a full-time position as a sports reporter. This deal was quickly interrupted by a small start-up magazine that had only been in existence for a few months. The editors of the brand new, ESPN The Magazine, learned of his excellent story proposals and reporting and were able to attract Chris to join the ranks of this new publication, which was also in New York City.

At ESPN Chris covered the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the X Games (extreme sports). He thrived in his new position and quickly became known as the reporter with the cover story. Chris crisscrossed the country covering sports and always had his finger on the pulse of a developing story. Early in his career, Chris found himself as the subject of a feature story where he chronicled the experiences of the NBA Development League (NBA D-League) in a weeklong tryout as a player, during the 2001 inaugural season. Through riveting reporting and brilliant photography, the readership was able to see Chris Palmer in action and learn of the trials and tribulations of making the cut on a D-League team. For years following this story Chris wrote articles that continuously made the cover page of ESPN the Magazine and quickly became a regular contributor on EPSN television broadcasts.

While in New York Chris was able to further showcase his basketball talents when he was asked to play on ESPN’s newly formed press basketball team. The team played in the New York City Media Basketball League against other corporate contenders. Once Chris was a part of the team the ESPN squad won multiple tournaments.

In 2004, Chris completed two new, yet different projects, a film documentary and a book. The documentary followed a struggling local Motocross rider from Maryland desperately trying to qualify for a coveted amateur national event. The film draws attention to the adversity faced and the importance of staying positive even when dreams are not realized.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Chris Palmer’s first book, “Wide open,” an autobiography of the most winningest Supercross rider of all-time. The book focused on the overwhelming success a 7-time Supercross champion on and off the track. The book was an instant success and became a New York Times Best Sellers shortly after its release.

In 2007, Chris relocated to Los Angeles, California. While continuing his work at ESPN Chris began to receive multiple book offers for various publishers. Basketball was the common denominator with subjects detailing the NBA, streetball, and fitness.

To gain greater journalistic creativity Chris decided to leave ESPN the Magazine in 2013, but agreed to continue work on several of the company’s branded online outlets including The Undefeated and later, Andscape. Most importantly, the move allowed Chris to become a full-time Author. Now in Los Angeles, Chris was a regular contributor as an NBA Analyst on Spectrum SportsNet, the flagship television network for the Lakers. With more freedom Chris wrote books on genres previously not imagined, such as art and entertainment.

In 2019, Chris wrote the memoir of a former 2-Time NBA Champion and reality TV star. The book entitled, “Darkness to Light: A Memoir” became a must read for both NBA fans and non-sports goers generating widespread interest. Chris took on a new role as the audiobook narrator of the memoir, which was released that same year. For the second time Chris found himself on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Chris Palmer was recognized by his peers for his journalistic excellence. He was honored by winning First Place in the 2023 Associated Press Sports Editors contest in the Long Feature category. The award was based on an article Chris wrote for ESPN’s Andscape.

In addition, Chris was informally praised by his peers for his independent media coverage of the Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles. Chris conducted a series of interviews with demonstrators from all walks of life. He met people truly in the moment. Chris was able to capture the raw emotions of voices that rightfully needed to be heard.

As a graduate of a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Chris never forgot his roots. He stayed connected to black media organizations and spoke on HBCU campuses to help foster the next generation of journalists.

Chris loved his friends and family and longed to spend time with those living in different regions. He made it a point to visit loved ones when traveling for work. For those who visited Chris in California, they were often treated with a morning hike in Runyon Canyon Park before a day of activities. Chris stressed the importance of literature to children and gave his nieces, nephew, and friends with children copies of the same books his mother continuously read to him as a child.

Chris grew up in a Catholic family and completed the major sacraments associated with initiation and healing. As life advanced Chris developed a greater relationship with the Lord. He traveled with a St. Francis prayer card in his backpack. On any given evening, Chris could be found wearing a rosary that his beloved sister-in-law Sarita gave him, singing along to Christian music while writing his next book.

Chris is preceded in death by his father, all his aunts and uncles, cousin Gail, and many relatives near and far. He is survived by his loving mother, brother Geoffrey (Sarita), sister Laura, nephew Andrew, nieces; Elizabeth and Sierra, scores of cousins, and family found worldwide.

A funeral mass will occur Friday, February 27, 2026, 4:30pm at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 1940 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, Maryland 20716.