NFL Community Supports Charvarius Ward Amid Heartbreaking Loss Of Daughter

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward is receiving an outpouring of support from his teammates and the NFL community following the heartbreaking loss of his 23-month-old daughter, Amani Joy.

Ward recently took to Instagram to share a moving tribute in memory of Amani, who had faced significant health challenges throughout her young life.

In response to Charvarius Ward's post, fellow NFL players, fans, and teammates have reached out to show their support and offer condolences.

Left tackle Trent Williams shared on Monday, November 4, that 49ers players have been reaching out to Ward during his time of grief.

“We all reached out to him,” Williams said. “More than anything we wanted to give him his privacy to deal with things that a lot of us can’t even fathom. Much love. Much prayers. Much respect to him, as always. We all tapped in with him, but we’re all respecting his privacy. Letting him and his family get through a trying time.”

Amani was born prematurely in November 2022 and was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after birth. Despite her early arrival and health issues, Ward embraced fatherhood wholeheartedly, finding profound joy and purpose in his role as Amani’s father.

Amani underwent open-heart surgery in April 2023, a challenging procedure that highlighted her resilience and strength, as well as Ward’s unwavering love and dedication as a parent.

Many players, coaches, and NFL personnel have commented on his post and reached out privately to lend comfort during this difficult time. The 49ers organization has also rallied around Ward, offering their support to him and his family.

"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," the team said at the time. "We will continue to grieve with Charvarius and Monique, while sending them our love and support during this unimaginable time."

San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch also spoke out, acknowledging the impact Amani had on Charvarius' life. "We had all kind of lived through this with Mooney ... he was so excited to become a first-time dad," Lynch shared. "And then, they had a fear that you're going to have a baby, it may indeed have Down syndrome. The baby was born with Down syndrome."

"But Mooney's attitude, his wife's attitude, where they were going to love this little girl—and Joy was the perfect middle name because every time he saw her, she just had this giant smile, was always laughing," he continued. "And Mooney, his perspective, as it does when you're a parent, changed so much. And Mooney just had such a deep love for this young lady."

Ward shared the heartbreaking news of his daughter Amani Joy’s passing on Instagram, posting a photo of her and conveying the deep sorrow his family is experiencing as they come to terms with the tragic loss.

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

As Ward navigates this devastating loss, the NFL community continues to stand beside him, demonstrating the close bonds shared within the league.

Through this outpouring of compassion and solidarity, Ward’s fellow players remind him—and fans around the world—of the strength and unity of the NFL family.