Charvarius Ward, cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, is mourning the tragic loss of his daughter, Amani Joy, who passed away on October 28th, just weeks before her second birthday. In an emotional Instagram post shared on October 29th, Ward expressed his heartbreak and reflected on the profound impact Amani had on his life.

“Amani was the best blessing we could have asked for,” he wrote, accompanied by a touching photo of his smiling daughter. “Her joyful 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.”

Charvarius shared Amani with his girlfriend, Monique Cook, and noted how she brightened their lives. “She overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy, lighting up every room with her smile,” he 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.”

Although Ward did not provide details about Amani’s cause of death, he had previously discussed her health struggles. Amani was born prematurely and faced significant challenges, including heart issues that required surgery shortly after her birth. In a December 2023 podcast, he recalled the fear surrounding her surgery, stating, “It was scary because you never know… that’s a serious surgery.”

After her successful surgery, Amani thrived, and Charvarius described her as “the happiest kid I’ve ever been around.” He celebrated her spirit on World Down Syndrome Day, expressing how her diagnosis transformed his perspective. “I used to think Down syndrome was a handicap, but now I realize it is just a gift from God,” he wrote, highlighting Amani’s infectious joy.

The family is now navigating this devastating loss, cherishing the love and light that Amani brought into their lives.