Here's a story that reminds you sports is about more than wins and losses.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and former assistant Brian Callahan paid for the memorial service of reporter Jay Morrison's wife, who passed away unexpectedly late last year.
Let me tell you what happened, because it's a beautiful example of humanity in sports.
Nicki Morrison passed away in late 2025, leaving Jay and his family devastated. In the midst of that grief - when you can barely think straight, when the world feels like it's falling apart - Coach Taylor reached out.
Not with platitudes. Not with empty words. With action.
Taylor made sure Morrison could focus on his family and the memorial service without worrying about the costs. He and Callahan - who's now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans - covered the expenses so Morrison could grieve and honor his wife's memory properly.
Folks, in a world of big contracts and bigger egos, this is class. This is what it means to be a leader. Not just on the field, but in life.
We spend so much time talking about X's and O's, about playoff races and quarterback controversies. But stories like this show the character that really matters. Taylor and Callahan didn't do this for publicity. They did it because it was the right thing to do.
Jay Morrison has covered the Bengals for years. He's asked the tough questions, written the critical columns, done his job as a journalist. And when tragedy struck, the coaches he covers showed him compassion and generosity that transcends football.
This is what sports is really about. Not the touchdowns or the championships - though those matter too. But the relationships. The connections between human beings. The reminder that we're all going through something, and sometimes the kindest thing you can do is help carry someone else's burden.
gets criticized plenty for his coaching decisions. That comes with the job. But this? This shows who he is as a person. Same with Callahan.
