Longtime NFL reporter Jay Morrison introduced the loss of life of his spouse of 32 years, Nicki Morrison, from a “catastrophic” medical occasion in December 2025.
The Sports activities Illustrated journalist shared on December 22, 2025, that there was a tragic purpose why he’d “watched a Bengals recreation with [his] spouse” for the primary time in 14 years.
“[The game] shall be her final,” Jay wrote by way of X. “What ought to have been a routine medical process on Friday turned catastrophic.”
Jay acquired overwhelming help from the sports activities world in his time of grief, together with Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who wished the Morrison household nicely throughout a press convention.
Hold scrolling for extra about Jay’s profession and the loss of life of his spouse.
Jay Morrison Has Reported on the NFL for Almost 30 Years
Jay Morrison has lined the NFL for shut to 3 a long time for quite a lot of notable retailers, together with The Athletic, the Dayton Every day Information and the Professional Soccer Community.
“Combining a ardour for stats and storytelling, Jay takes readers past the sector for a novel take a look at the sport and the individuals who play it,” his Sports activities Illustrated bio reads.
The Ohio College graduate joined Sports activities Illustrated’s devoted Bengals Speak outlet in September 2024, after overlaying the NFL crew for greater than 13 years.
Jay lists “proud husband & dad” amongst his chief accomplishments in his X (previously often known as Twitter) bio.
Jay Morrison Addressed His Complicated Skilled Relationship With Joe Burrow
As a Cincinnati Bengals beat author, a key a part of Jay Morrison’s job has been overlaying the crew’s quarterback, Joe Burrow. The athlete was drafted by the Bengals as the primary choose within the 2020 NFL draft after successful the Heisman Trophy at Louisiana State College that very same yr.
Jay appeared on the “Cleveland Browns Every day” podcast to deal with among the challenges of overlaying Burrow, because the QB tends to keep away from media protection.
“I might say [we know] little or no [about him],” Morrison defined in Could 2025. “From my data, he has not performed an interview with a beat author since he arrived. He just about sticks to the nationwide interviews and he’ll do the rostrum [at press conferences], which is required.”
The author added, “I’ll say although, [Burrow] is fairly open and forthcoming in these periods. It’s restricted. You possibly can’t actually simply chat … You possibly can chat him up within the locker room a little bit bit. He prefers to not do the small discuss and I believe most individuals are prepared to accommodate that.”
Regardless of the QB’s want for privateness, Jay credited Burrow with being extra forthcoming with reporters than many different NFL quarterbacks.
“Joe has been fairly open and sincere. I don’t wish to say that we don’t know him in any respect as a result of he does give a glimpse however there’s nonetheless rather a lot behind him that must be cracked,” he admitted.
Jay Morrison Was Married for 32 Years to Spouse Nicki
Nicki’s obituary confirmed that she met Jay Morrison, described as “the love of her life,” once they have been each college students at Ohio College. They have been married for 32 years.
Jay and his spouse Nicki shared a son, Braden Morrison, and a daughter, Veda Morrison Reister. Veda married her accomplice Bethany in Could 2025.
“[The wedding] was one of many happiest and proudest days of Nicki’s life,” Jay completely instructed Us Weekly on December 23, 2025.
Nicki labored as an paintings specialist and digital options supervisor for Procter and Gamble and World Colour, amongst different firms. Her household described her as “a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ group.”
Jay Morrison, Nicki Morrison Courtesy of Jay Morrison/Fb
“[Nicki] universally supported all human rights with the spirit of a warrior and soul of a chaplain,” her obituary learn. “She knew the best way to make folks snigger – and assume. Her voice was a tune and her life a dance.”
Jay Morrison Introduced His Spouse’s Dying Days Earlier than Christmas in December 2025
Jay Morrison opened up about his spouse Nicki’s sudden well being disaster by way of X on December 22, 2025. He revealed that Nicki had been hospitalized for “a routine medical process” that “turned catastrophic.”
“She has been on life help since [her hospitalization], ready on organ recipient matches, her closing present in a magnificently stunning and selfless life,” he wrote. “We shall be saying our closing goodbyes and eradicating her from the machines. My coronary heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated.”
Jay then confirmed that he was stepping away from Sports activities Illustrated for “an indefinite time frame” so as to grieve.
“For these of you who know me personally and will wish to pay respects, there won’t be a funeral,” Jay defined. “It’s one thing we talked about rather a lot a number of months in the past when my mother handed.”
The reporter continued, “As an alternative, there shall be celebration of life as soon as my daughter, son and I can compose ourselves sufficient to plan a celebration worthy sufficient of probably the most stunning, caring, bad-ass rocker chick I’ve been proud to share a life with for 37 years.”
Nicki died on December 22, 2025, on the Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, in accordance with her obituary.
Jay Morrison Shared His Spouse’s ‘Honor Stroll’ Earlier than Her Organ Donation
Jay Morrison shared footage from his spouse Nicki’s “Honor Stroll” on the identical day as her loss of life. An “Honor Stroll” is held for folks on life help with no likelihood for survival who’ve opted to donate their organs within the wake of their loss of life. As they’re wheeled into the working room for organ procurement, hospital workers and household type a line within the hospital hallways to indicate their help for the person performing a doubtlessly life-saving act for organ recipients.
“We stated our goodbyes to Nicki final evening in probably the most appropriately significant manner, with a hero’s Honor Stroll,” he tweeted.
Jay warned his viewers that footage of the “Honor Stroll” is perhaps “onerous to look at” due to the “state” his spouse was in.
“We’re sharing it so as to assist deliver consciousness and positivity to the attractive act of organ donation,” he famous. “True to her selfless spirit and soul till the very finish, she shall be giving folks she by no means met the best of Christmas presents.”
Bengals Coach Zac Taylor Paid Tribute to Jay Morrison’s Late Spouse Nicki
Throughout a press convention on December 22, 2025, Bengals coach Zac Taylor publicly acknowledged that “Jay Morrison and his household [were] coping with one thing powerful.”
“[Jay] is, as you all know, one of many biggest guys within the enterprise,” Taylor stated. “Ideas and prayers with him and his household. I hate that he has to undergo that however I do know we’re all right here for him.”
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Jay and Nicki’s daughter Veda Morrison Reister later thanked the coach for his sort phrases.
“Very cool of Zac to ship my dad a private message yesterday morning and much more touching for him to make these feedback publicly,” she wrote by way of Fb on December 23, 2025.
Jay Morrison Acquired an Outpouring of Help from the Sports activities Media
Following the announcement of Nikki’s loss of life, Jay Morrison acquired condolences from many within the sports activities media.
“Jay, my coronary heart breaks for you and your loved ones,” Cleveland Browns beat author Mary Kay Cabot replied by way of X. “Praying for all of you. She shall be with all of you ceaselessly. What an amazing blessing and present she has been, and can proceed to be. God bless.”
Former New York 1 reporter Kristen Shaughnessy described Nicki’s loss of life as “a devastating flip.”
“I’m so sorry,” she wrote to Jay.
Jay’s fellow Bengals beat reporter Kelsey Conway reached out to inform Jay that their complete group of reporters have been “so unhappy for you and your loved ones.”
“You and Nicki are the epitome of an ideal couple. Sending you and your loved ones prayers and power at this extremely troublesome time,” Conway tweeted.
On December 26, 2025, the Sports activities Illustrated reporter shared his gratitude for the scores of condolences since Nicki’s loss of life.
“Wished to say a fast ‘thanks’ to everybody for all the sort replies, texts, calls, playing cards and each different stunning gesture,” Jay wrote by way of X. “The love has been overwhelming, and your phrases have introduced extra consolation than you possibly can ever know.”
