The Raiders front office was informed shortly after her passing with a company-wide message:
"An integral part of the team's front office, Cheryl was instrumental in administering the organization's facilities for many years, including the team's current headquarters in Henderson. An amazing teammate with talents that shined throughout her years with the Raiders, Cheryl was the most loyal of friends and will forever be a loved and cherished part of the Raiders Family. The prayers of the Raider Nation are with her children Kimberlie and Mark, and the entire Nichols family during this difficult time."
Condolences continued, with many Raiders Alumni hearing the news for the first time during their reunion event that took place last weekend, which included a moment of silence. From Friday's Alumni gathering to Saturday's preseason game versus San Francisco at Allegiant Stadium, those who knew and loved Cheryl expressed their memories.
Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan quickly became a Cheryl Nichols admirer: "When I first met Cheryl, clearly, she had an energy and a passion that was unmatched. She was truly the glue that put so many different pieces together. Every time I saw her, she was on the phone working. It was inevitable. She never stopped, and she always put the Raiders first."
Gerry Plunkett, wife of Super Bowl XV MVP Jim Plunkett, cherished her interactions with Nichols, who she had known for five decades: "Cheryl was always dedicated to the family, the Raiders. She was very influential on decorating the facilities. I really respected her. She was a good friend. You could depend on her for anything. We'll all miss her."
Marcus Allen deeply appreciated his relationship with Cheryl: "Cheryl always treated me great. I've always had a great relationship with her. I was sad to hear. A lot of times, people define the Raiders by the players. But there are people in the organization that were here for so long that were just as much Raiders and had the Raider DNA. In the front office, they have the Raiders DNA, and Cheryl was one of those people. She was part of the fabric of the organization and what made it great."
Terry Robiskie, like everyone else, took the news hard. "When we heard that Cheryl had passed, I think that everybody \[at the reunion\] shed some tears. I know I did. Cheryl was such a mainstay throughout the Raiders and throughout the Raiders history, and her legacy will always be a part of it."
He went on to share a story about how Cheryl was the first Raiders employee he met in person. "I got drafted by the Raiders in 1977 and flew from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Oakland, and all my transactions were being handled by Cheryl. When I landed, the car that was supposed to pick me up wasn't there. And finally, I realized it was getting a little bit late, and I decided to call Cheryl Nichols and told her I was still at the airport. She said, 'Terry, I'm sorry. I'm going to pick you up myself.' That was one of the most touching things to me because the first person I ever met in person wasn't Al Davis, wasn't John Madden, wasn't Tom Flores. It was Cheryl Nichols. And from that time on, until she passed, we've always been good friends and had the highest regards for each other."
Jerry Robinson was one who experienced her maternal side: "Cheryl Nichols was like a mother figure to me and all of the players that knew her. She always made me feel so comfortable and I loved every time I saw her. Every single time I saw her, she'd give me a hug and ask me how I was doing and how my family was doing. I told her that 'I love you' and she would always say, 'I love you too.' Not being able to see her smiling face, and her hugs and conversations hurts me deeply. I have lost another member of my family. The Davis family and the Raider Organization and Raider Nation have lost another family member. But we have another angel watching over us. Thank you, Cheryl, for being such a positive, caring and loving person to all of us. You will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace Cheryl."
Napoleon McCallum was next to share his memories: "Cheryl Nichols was just a beautiful bright light shining her smiling face and laughter everywhere. There was no problem you could bring to her that was too big. Somehow, some way, she always got it done. You could tell in everything she did, she lived the Raider motto, Commitment to Excellence. I wouldn't be surprised if Cheryl came up with that motto or Al Davis just saw Cheryl getting everything done and said, 'That lady's got a Commitment to Excellence.' I was blessed that our paths crossed at the Raiders."