NFL reporter Jay Morrison, who covers the Cincinnati Bengals, has announced he will be stepping away from covering the team after the tragic death of his wife NickiCincinnati Bengals beat reporter Jay Morrison is mourning the death of his wife, Nicki MorrisonCincinnati Bengals beat reporter Jay Morrison is mourning the death of his wife, Nicki Morrison(Image: https://www.facebook.com/JAYM0RRIS0N)

Cincinnati Bengals beat reporter Jay Morrison has announced he will be stepping away from covering the team following the tragic, sudden death of his wife, Nicki, just days before Christmas.

Morrison, a longtime reporter who has covered the Bengals for Sports Illustrated, announced on Monday that his wife had passed away following a “routine medical procedure.”

The Bengals are due to face off against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, with Cincinnati having nothing but pride to play for after they were eliminated from playoff contention. Posting on X following Cincinnati’s 45-21 win last Sunday over the Miami Dolphins, Morrison wrote: “For the first time in 14 years, I watched a Bengals game with my wife Nicki yesterday. It will be her last.

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“What should have been a routine medical procedure on Friday turned catastrophic. 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 today and removing her from the machines. My heart is shattered, and my world is obliterated.

Morrison added: “I am only sharing this publicly to let all of you know I will be stepping away from Bengals coverage for an indefinite period of time.”

Jay Morrison and wife NickiJay Morrison and wife Nicki(Image: https://www.facebook.com/JAYM0RRIS0N)

The Bengals reporter added he would not be holding a funeral for Nicki per her wishes.

Instead, he and their children will hold a celebration of her life once they “can compose ourselves enough to plan a party worthy enough of the most beautiful, caring, bada– rocker chick I’ve been proud to share a life with for 37 years.”

Morrison also shared a video on his X account of an ‘Honor Walk’, a hospital ceremony held for organ donors as they are wheeled to surgery, held for Nicki. “We said our goodbyes to Nicki last night in the most appropriately meaningful way, with a hero’s Honor Walk,” wrote Morrison.

Nicki Morrison recently passed awayNicki Morrison recently passed away(Image: https://www.facebook.com/JAYM0RRIS0N)

“I need to advise that the video might be hard to watch, seeing her in that state. But we are sharing it in order to help bring awareness and positivity to the beautiful act of organ donation. True to her selfless spirit and soul until the very end, she will be giving people she never met the greatest of Christmas gifts.”

Speaking to the media on Monday ahead of this weekend’s game against the Cardinals, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor offered up his condolences to the Morrison family, adding that Jay is “one of the greatest guys in this business.”

“I know Jay Morrison and his family are dealing with something tough right now,’ Taylor said.

The pair were together for 37 yearsThe pair were together for 37 years(Image: https://www.facebook.com/JAYM0RRIS0N)

He continued: “Jay, as you all know, is one of the greatest guys in this business.

“So thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. I hate that he’s got to go through that, but I know we’re all here for him. So I just wanted to make sure he knows that and his family knows that.”