San Francisco 49ers player Charvarius Ward is mourning the death of his baby girl, Amani Joy.
“We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning,” Ward, 28, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, October 29. “She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear. She taught us to have patience, trust and a positive outlook on life. She showed us true strength and bravery.”
“She overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy, lighting up every room with her smile,” Ward’s statement continued. “Having the privilege of being her parents and seeing the world through her eyes has changed us for the better. She will forever be daddy’s best friend and mommy’s little girl. We’ll miss you and love you forever, Amani Joy.”
Ward and his partner, Monique Cook, welcomed Amani in November 2022. An official cause of death has yet to be announced.
Back in March, Ward shared via social media that his daughter had Down Syndrome. At the same time, he called her “a gift from God.”
“Amani Joy Ward has been the best blessing I could’ve asked for,” the NFL cornerback wrote via Instagram on March 21. “I used to think Down Syndrome was a handicap but now I realize it is just a gift from God. Being Amani’s dad has taught me patience & how to surrender & let things be. We couldn’t control whether she had Trisomy 21 but we can control our attitude about it.”
Ward said he initially went through “feelings of sadness and anger,” but those feelings “transformed into pure joy” as soon as he laid eyes on baby Amani.
“She went from heart surgery to the happiest kid I’ve ever been around,” he said. “Amani is filled with pure joy & a contagious laugh. My baby makes me smile from ear to ear every time I see her.”
Amani’s death comes less than a month before she was expected to turn two on November 17.
After her death was confirmed, the San Francisco 49ers organization shared their support for both Ward and Cook.
“The 49ers family is devastated by the sudden passing of Charvarius Ward’s beloved one-year-old daughter Amani Joy,” the team wrote via Instagram on Tuesday. “Amani truly embodied pure happiness and brought joy to all those around her with her sweet demeanor and contagious laugh. We will continue to grieve with Charvarius and Monique, while sending them our love and support during this unimaginable time.”
The San Francisco 49ers’ next game is scheduled for November 10 in Tampa Bay, Florida.
