Charvarius Ward is mourning the loss of his 1-year-old daughter, Amani Joy, who died Monday.
“She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear,” Ward wrote on social media on Tuesday. “She taught us to have patience, trust and a positive outlook on life.”
Ward had openly discussed the challenges and fears he and girlfriend Monique Cook faced after Amani Joy was born five weeks early in 2022. She needed heart surgery months later and had to remain in the hospital after she was born. Her push to survive became an inspiration for Ward.
Sending all of our love and support to Charvarius and Monique ❤️💛#IGYB pic.twitter.com/5umxvMJcnR
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 29, 2024
“She showed us true strength and bravery,” he wrote. “She overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy, lighting up every room with her smile. 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.”
Amani Joy, who would have turned two in mid-November, was born while the 49ers were in Colorado. Ward rushed home to Memphis, Tenn., for her birth. Soon after, she was hooked to tubes and placed in the neonatal intensive care unit, where she stayed for two weeks.
“I feel like already my baby has given me more heart — more love in my heart, more love in my body,” he said after the 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals, shortly after Amani Joy went home from the hospital. “Not only for her but for other people as well.”
The 49ers are on a bye starting this afternoon and won’t assemble again until Monday. Ward, one of the team’s starting cornerbacks, is coming off perhaps his best two games of the season.
The 49ers issued a statement saying, “We will continue to grieve with Charvarius and Monique while sending them our love and support during this unimaginable time.”
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