NFL star Charvarius Ward shared the news that his 1-year-old daughter, Amani Joy, has died.
“We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy, passed away on Monday morning,” Ward, a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, wrote Oct. 29 alongside a photo of his daughter on Instagram.
“She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear,” Ward continued. “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 daughter was born prematurely with Down syndrome and had suffered heart issues throughout her short life, according to KNTV, an NBC affiliate in the Bay Area. She underwent open-heart surgery in April 2023, the affiliate reported.
Ward concluded his heartbreaking tribute, “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 continued sharing his grief in his Instagram stories, writing “I’m broken” and adding four broken-heart emojis over a black background.
Above photos of Amani Joy, he wrote, “My Baby. My Life. My Queen. My Heart. My Everything,” including several more broken hearts.
The San Francisco 49ers commemorated Amani Joy’s death in a statement on X, writing, “The 49ers family is devastated by the sudden passing of Charvarius Ward’s beloved one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy.”
The statement added that 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.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
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