NFL Writer Receives Emotional Letter From Late Wife's Organ Donor Recipient

Jay Morrison's wife Nicki passed away unexpectedly, but her organ donation has impacted others.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm color and light, depicting a pair of hands holding a small, glowing object that represents the cherished memory of a loved one.The heartfelt gift of organ donation allows a loved one's legacy to live on, even in the face of unimaginable loss.Cincinnati Today

Cincinnati Bengals reporter Jay Morrison shared a touching story about receiving a heartfelt letter from one of the recipients of his late wife Nicki's organ donations. Nicki passed away unexpectedly last year, and her decision to be an organ donor has allowed her to continue making a positive impact even after her death.

Why it matters

Nicki's organ donation highlights the profound difference that organ donors can make in the lives of others. Her story serves as an inspiration for others to consider becoming organ donors themselves, potentially saving or improving the lives of those in need.

The details

After Nicki's unexpected passing, Jay received a call from the Network for Hope organization that handled her organ donation. They informed him that one of the recipients of Nicki's kidneys had written a letter expressing their gratitude for her gift. Jay was deeply moved by the 'heartfelt words' in the letter, saying it was an 'incredible gift' for his wife to be able to change someone's life even after her death.

  • Nicki Morrison passed away in December 2025.
  • Jay Morrison received the letter from one of Nicki's organ recipients in April 2026.

The players

Jay Morrison

A Cincinnati Bengals reporter who is the husband of the late Nicki Morrison.

Nicki Morrison

Jay Morrison's wife of 32 years, who passed away unexpectedly in 2025 and was an organ donor.

Braden Morrison

The son of Jay and Nicki Morrison, who is honoring his late mother's memory by raising funds for charities she cared about.

Veda Morrison Reister

The daughter of Jay and Nicki Morrison, who got married in May 2025.

Network for Hope

The organization that handled Nicki Morrison's organ donation and informed Jay Morrison about the letter from one of the recipients.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It came yesterday. 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 Morrison, Cincinnati Bengals Reporter

“The last few months have been confusing and hard, but we are working through it. 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.”

— Braden Morrison

What’s next

Braden Morrison is using his birthday to raise funds for charities and organizations that were important to his late mother Nicki.

The takeaway

Nicki Morrison's decision to be an organ donor has allowed her to continue making a positive impact on the world even after her unexpected passing. Her story serves as an inspiration for others to consider becoming organ donors themselves, potentially saving or improving the lives of those in need.