Longtime NFL reporter Jay Morrison received an outpouring of support following the untimely death of his wife of 32 years, Nicki Morrison, at age 57 in December 2025.
The Sports Illustrated journalist revealed on December 22, 2025, that his family was taking Nicki off life support due to a “catastrophic turn” during a “routine medical procedure.”
“We will be saying our final goodbyes and removing her from the machines,” he tweeted that same day. “My heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated.”
Following Nicki’s death, her family shared more information about her support for the LGBTQ+ community and her “greatest and proudest life’s work” as a mother of two children, son Braden Morrison and daughter Veda Morrison Reister.
Keep scrolling to learn more about Nicki’s life and explore how her death impacted the sports media world.
Who Was Nicki Morrison?
Nicki Morrison was born on July 25, 1968, in Dayton, Ohio, according to her obituary. She graduated from Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio, and later studied organizational communications at Ohio University.
She met her future husband, Sports Illustrated writer Jay Morrison, while they were attending Ohio University. They were married for 32 years.
Nicki pursued a career as an artwork specialist and digital solutions manager through her work with World Color, SGK and Procter and Gamble.
Aside from her work, Nicki’s family revealed in her obituary that she “loved planning parties and she usually was the party.” Nicki founded the Palmerfest block parties in her adopted hometown of Athens, Ohio, when Ohio University “tried to squelch its annual spring party by banning beer sales.”
“Nicki also leaves behind an enormous network of friends who loved her deeply and counted her as family,” her family said. “She was the one people turned to for advice because she listened with her heart as well as her ears. She not only was an elite gift giver of both the sentimental and hilarious varieties, she WAS a gift to everyone who knew her – and a few who didn’t.”
Did Nicki Morrison Have Children?
Nicki Morrison and her husband Jay Morrison shared two children: daughter Veda Morrison Reister and son Braden Morrison.
In Nicki’s obituary, her family described motherhood as her “greatest and proudest life’s work” and credited her for “nurturing, protecting, celebrating and loving” her children with “every cell in her heart.”
Nicki’s family also noted her “fierce [advocacy] for the LGBTQ+ community,” which included celebrating her daughter Vera’s wedding to her wife, Bethany, in May 2025.
“It was one of the happiest and proudest days of Nicki’s life,” Jay exclusively told Us Weekly on December 23, 2025.
Nicki’s family added in her obituary, “[Nicki] universally supported all human rights with the spirit of a warrior and soul of a chaplain. She knew how to make people laugh – and think. Her voice was a song and her life a dance.”
How Did Nicki Morrison Die?
Nicki Morrison’s husband, Jay Morrison, broke the news via X on December 22, 2025, that she was being taken off life support. Jay explained that Nicki had been hospitalized for “a routine medical procedure” on December 19, 2025, that “turned catastrophic.”
“She has been on life support since, waiting on organ recipient matches, her final gift in a magnificently beautiful and selfless life,” Jay wrote via X. “We will be saying our final goodbyes and removing her from the machines. My heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated.”
Nicki died at the Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati on December 22, 2025.
Because Nicki was an organ donor, Jay later shared video footage of his wife on her “Honor Walk” at the hospital. (An “Honor Walk” is held for people on life support with no chance for survival who have chosen to donate their organs following their death. As they are wheeled into the operating room for organ procurement, hospital staff and family line the hospital hallways to show their support for the person performing a potentially life-saving act for organ recipients.)
“We said our goodbyes to Nicki last night in the most appropriately meaningful way, with a hero’s Honor Walk,” Jay revealed via X on December 23.
Jay warned his followers that the “Honor Walk” may be “hard to watch” because of the “state” Nicki was in before the procedure.
“We are sharing it in order to help bring awareness and positivity to the beautiful act of organ donation,” he noted. “True to her selfless spirit and soul until the very end, she will be giving people she never met the greatest of Christmas gifts.”
Will Nicki Morrison Have a Funeral?
Jay Morrison confirmed on December 22, 2025, that his family decided not to have a traditional funeral for Nicki Morrison.
“For those of you who know me personally and may want to pay respects, there will not be a funeral,” Jay clarified via X. “It’s something we talked about a lot a few months ago when my mom passed.”
The journalist went on, “Instead, there will be celebration of life once my daughter, son and I can compose ourselves enough to plan a party worthy enough of the most beautiful, caring, bad-ass rocker chick I’ve been proud to share a life with for 37 years.”
In Nicki’s obituary — published on December 26, 2025 — her family confirmed that they were planning “a Celebration of Life in the coming weeks that will be the kind of party she loved … and deserved.”
How Has the Sports World Reacted to Nicki Morrison’s Death?
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouted out the Morrison family during a press conference on December 22, 2025. (Jay Morrison works as a Bengals beat reporter for Sports Illustrated and has covered the NFL for nearly 30 years.)
“Jay, as you all know, is one of the greatest guys in this business,” Taylor told reporters. “Thoughts and prayers with him and his family and I hate that he’s got to go through that. I know we’re all here for him, so I just wanted to make sure that he knows that and his family knows that.”
Nicki and Jay’s daughter, Veda Morrison Reister, later publicly thanked the coach for his thoughtful words.
“Very cool of Zac to send my dad a personal message yesterday morning and even more touching for him to make these comments publicly,” Veda wrote via Facebook on December 23, 2025.
The Morrisons also received condolences from many of Jay’s fellow NFL beat reporters too.
“Jay, my heart breaks for you and your family,” Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot replied via X. “Praying for all of you. She will be with all of you forever. What a tremendous blessing and gift she has been, and will continue to be. God bless.”
Cincinnati Bengals beat reporter Kelsey Conway also reached out by writing via X: “We are all so sad for you and your family. You and Nicki are the epitome of a great couple. Sending you and your family prayers and strength at this incredibly difficult time. 🙏”
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