San Francisco 49ers Star Reveals Death of Baby Daughter

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward and his family are in mourning after the death of his one-year-old daughter on Oct. 28. 

"We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning," the NFL star wrote on Instagram with a photo of the smiling baby. "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," he concluded. "She will forever be daddy’s best friend and mommy’s little girl. We’ll miss you and love you forever, Amani Joy."

A cause of death for Ward's daughter has not been announced. According to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, Amani and her mother Monique Cook attended the 49ers game on Sunday just hours before she passed. 

"He put her to bed Sunday night, and Monday morning it was over," Shanahan told KNBR. “It’s everyone’s biggest fear, but to have it happen to someone [you know] is as crushing and devastating as it gets."

Ward has spoken in the past about Amani Joy's health issues. Last December, he spoke to then-teammate Arik Armstead about the journey she's been on since her birth in November 2022. 

“She was born with two holes in her heart,” Ward explained to Armstead on his Third and Long podcast. "The doctor was like, 'If the holes close up, she’s good.' One of them closed and the other kept expanding and getting bigger, to the size of a fist... They were like, we have to do the surgery ASAP. That was scary because it’s a real serious surgery. And it’s your kid, you just feel for her, it’s out of your hands, there’s nothing you can do about it."

Ward, who became a first-time Pro Bowl player last season, credited his daughter with helping him on the field.

"It was on my conscience," Ward told NBC Sports last year. “Why can’t I connect to my daughter? This is my seed. I couldn’t connect with her at all, and it was hurting my feelings. It was on my mind a lot. I’m not trying to make excuses, but ever since we got closer, I’ve been balling. Shoutout to God and my daughter for making that relationship good."