Cincinnati Bengals reporter Jay Morrison told a touching story about the legacy of his late wife of 32 years, Nicki, who died unexpectedly last year.
Jay received a call from Network for Hope, the organization that handled Nicki’s organ donation, telling him, “One of the people that received one of my wife’s kidneys had written us a letter.”
“It came yesterday,” Jay said April 3 on his “Who Dey Light” podcast. “It was incredible. The heartfelt words. I’m getting emotional again thinking about it. It’s such an incredible gift to give, the way you can change a person’s life after you’re gone.”
Jay also referenced the letter on social media on Wednesday, April, 8, in announcing an initiative being undertaken by his son, Braden.
“I mentioned on the pod how touched I was by receiving a letter from one of Nicki’s organ recipients,” Jay wrote. “Braden was, too, and he is using his birthday to try to make a difference, which is a beautiful way to honor Nicki.”
In a separate social media post, Braden revealed he was raising funds on his birthday in honor of his late mother.
“The last few months have been confusing and hard, but we are working through it,” Braden wrote. “My mom was the most amazing person I knew. Her compassion and kindness knew no bounds and she simply hated hate. My mom used her voice to make a difference when she was here and even when she had to go, she left this world with one final gift. She was an organ donor and her organs went on to save multiple lives and improve so many more.”
He continued, “She’s always been my hero. But now she is so many others’ as well.”
Braden hoped to “raise awareness for some of the things she cared deeply for while she was here” and suggested donations to various charities and organizations, including The Trevor Project, Hope House and Network of Hope.
“I love you mom, you are my sunshine,” he wrote.
Jay and Nicki also share a daughter, Veda, who got married in May 2025.
In addition to the letter the family received, Jay said Network of Hope gave them an unforgettable gift.
“They gave us a teddy bear, and they used an ultrasound to record my wife’s heartbeat,” Jay said. “My son’s got the teddy bear, and it’s got my wife’s heartbeat that plays inside of it.”
Jay announced his wife’s death in December 2025. She was 57.
“For the first time in 14 years, I watched a Bengals game with my wife Nicki yesterday,” Jay shared via X. “It will be her last. What should have been a routine medical procedure on Friday turned catastrophic.”
Jay continued, “She has been on life support since, waiting on organ recipient matches, her final gift in a magnificently beautiful and selfless life. We will be saying our final goodbyes and removing her from the machines.”
“My heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated,” Jay wrote.
