Longtime NFL reporter Jay Morrison announced the death of his wife of 32 years, Nicki Morrison, from a "catastrophic" medical event in December 2025. The Sports Illustrated journalist shared on December 22, 2025, that there was a sad reason why he'd "watched a Bengals game with [his] wife" for the first time in 14 years. "[The game] will be her last," Jay wrote via X. "What should have been a routine medical procedure on Friday turned catastrophic." Jay received overwhelming support from the sports world in his time of grief, including Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who wished the Morrison family well during a press conference. The Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time: Diane Keaton and More Keep scrolling for more about Jay's career and the death of his wife. Jay Morrison Has Reported on the NFL for Nearly 30 Years Jay Morrison has covered the NFL for close to three decades for a variety of notable outlets, including The Athletic, the Dayton Daily News and the Pro Football Network. "Combining a passion for stats and storytelling, Jay takes readers beyond the field for a unique look at the game and the people who play it," his Sports Illustrated bio reads. The Ohio University graduate joined Sports Illustrated's dedicated Bengals Talk outlet in September 2024, after covering the NFL team for more than 13 years. Jay lists "proud husband & dad" among his chief accomplishments in his X (formerly known as Twitter) bio. Jay Morrison Addressed His Complex Professional Relationship With Joe Burrow As a Cincinnati Bengals beat writer, a key part of Jay Morrison's job has been covering the team's quarterback, Joe Burrow. The athlete was drafted by the Bengals as the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Louisiana State University that same year. Jay appeared on the "Cleveland Browns Daily" podcast to address some of the challenges of covering Burrow, since the QB tends to stay away from media coverage. "I would say [we know] very little [about him]," Morrison explained in May 2025. "From my knowledge, he has not done an interview with a beat writer since he arrived. He pretty much sticks to the national interviews and he will do the podium [at press conferences], which is required." The writer added, "I will say though, [Burrow] is pretty open and forthcoming in those sessions. It's limited. You can't really just chat ... You can chat him up in the locker room a little bit. He prefers not to do the small talk and I think most people are willing to accommodate that." Despite the QB's desire for privacy, Jay credited Burrow with being more forthcoming with reporters than many other NFL quarterbacks. "Joe has been pretty open and honest. I don't want to say that we don't know him at all because he does give a glimpse but there's still a lot behind him that needs to be cracked," he admitted. Jay Morrison Was Married for 32 Years to Wife Nicki Nicki's obituary confirmed that she met Jay Morrison, described as "the love of her life," when they were both students at Ohio University. They were married for 32 years. Jay and his wife Nicki shared a son, Braden Morrison, and a daughter, Veda Morrison Reister. Veda married her partner Bethany in May 2025. "[The wedding] was one of the happiest and proudest days of Nicki's life," Jay exclusively told Us Weekly on December 23, 2025. Nicki worked as an artwork specialist and digital solutions manager for Procter and Gamble and World Color, among other companies. Her family described her as "a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community." Jay Morrison, Nicki Morrison Courtesy of Jay Morrison/Facebook "[Nicki] universally supported all human rights with the spirit of a warrior and soul of a chaplain," her obituary read. "She knew how to make people laugh - and think. Her voice was a song and her life a dance." Jay Morrison Announced His Wife's Death Days Before Christmas in December 2025 Jay Morrison opened up about his wife Nicki's unexpected health crisis via X on December 22, 2025. He revealed that Nicki had been hospitalized for "a routine medical procedure" that "turned catastrophic." "She has been on life support since [her hospitalization], waiting on organ recipient matches, her final gift in a magnificently beautiful and selfless life," he wrote. "We will be saying our final goodbyes and removing her from the machines. My heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated." Jay then confirmed that he was stepping away from Sports Illustrated for "an indefinite period of time" in order to grieve. "For those of you who know me personally and may want to pay respects, there will not be a funeral," Jay explained. "It's something we talked about a lot a few months ago when my mom passed." The reporter continued, "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