49ers Star Charvarius Ward’s 1-Year-Old Daughter Tragically Dies

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward is grieving the tragic loss of his 1-year-old daughter.

Details surrounding her passing remain private, as Ward and his family navigate this heartbreaking period.

Charvarius Ward has been a standout on the 49ers’ defense, but off the field, he is known for his devotion to his family and his role as a father.

On Tuesday, October 29, Ward took to social media to share the heartbreaking new.

"We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning," he began. "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."

He continued, "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."

In a post dedicated to World Down Syndrome Day, the NFL player opened up about his daughter, sharing how big of a blessing she has been.

"Amani Joy Ward has been the best blessing I could’ve asked for," he began. "I used to think Down Syndrome was a handicap, but now I realize it is just a gift from God. Being Amani’s dad has taught me patience & how to surrender & let things be."

"We couldn’t control whether she had Trisomy 21, but we can control our attitude about it," Ward added. "At first, we went through feelings of sadness & anger, but those feelings transformed into pure joy as soon as we laid eyes on her. She went from heart surgery to the happiest kid I’ve ever been around. Amani is filled with pure joy & a contagious laugh. My baby makes me smile from ear to ear every time I see her. November 17, 2022 a star was born. We love you AMANI JOY."

As Ward takes time to mourn, his team and fans are honoring his family’s privacy while offering unwavering support.

The 49ers expressed their condolences in a statement Tuesday morning, saying their hearts are with Ward, his partner Monique, and their family during this difficult time:

"The 49ers family is devastated by the sudden passing of Charvarius Ward's beloved one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy. 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."

Ward began his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, but he was quickly traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was with the Chiefs that he made a name for himself, contributing significantly to the team’s defense and helping them secure a Super Bowl victory in the 2019 season.

In 2022, Ward signed with the 49ers, where he continues to be an essential part of their defensive lineup.

Others commented on Ward's post, sharing, "Praying for you brother, may God make it easy on yall and grant you with patience," and "Sending prayers man I’m sorry my heart aches for you."

"Sending prayers man I’m sorry my heart aches for you," a third said.

The official 49ers account commented, "Sending all the love."

In an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch in February, Ward revealed that a blood test had shown signs of Down syndrome, and an ultrasound detected a heart defect before his daughter Amani was born.

"It's made my heart bigger," Ward said. "I was never mean to my mom as a kid. But I'm nicer to my mom. I'm nicer to all the women around me. I try to treat people a little bit better. Because, obviously, she has Down syndrome. And she's probably going to have a little mistreatment going through life with a disability."

He added, "People might try to bully her a little bit. So I just want to treat people well and, hopefully, people will treat her good."

Despite the challenges, Ward and his partner Monique remained optimistic. Amani’s arrival brought a new sense of joy and purpose for Ward.