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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chavarius Ward announced the death of his 1-year-old daughter, Amani Joy, weeks before her second birthday in a post shared on his Instagram account Tuesday (October 29).
"We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning," Ward wrote. "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. 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 revealed that Amani Joy was born with Down syndrome and two holes in her heart, one of which required surgery, while appearing on then-teammate Arik Armstead's podcast in December. The Niners, who are currently on their bye week, issued a statement saying they were "devastated" by news of Amani Joy's death.
"Amani truly embodied pure happiness and brought joy to all those around her with her sweet demeanor and contagious laugh," the team said. "We will continue to grieve with Charvarius and Monique, while sending them our love and support during this unimaginable time."
Ward had a breakout year during the Niners' NFC Championship season in 2023, becoming a Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro for the first time in his career, crediting his daughter's 2022 birth as his inspiration.