On October 29, superstar footballer Charvarius Ward took to Instagram to share a deeply emotional post announcing the tragic death of his one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy Ward. The 49ers cornerback, who founded his organization Charvarius for Change in 2021, posted a poignant photo of Amani, smiling as she sat with a loved one.
In his heartfelt message, Charvarius expressed his devastation over losing Amani on October 28, 2024. “She was the best blessing we could have asked for,” he wrote. “Her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear. She taught us to have patience, trust, and a positive outlook on life.”
Charvarius reflected on Amani’s remarkable strength and resilience, noting how she overcame adversity at such a young age and lit up every room with her happiness and adorable smile. He emphasized the privilege he and Amani’s mother, Monique, felt in being her parents and seeing the world through her eyes. “She will forever be daddy’s best friend and mommy’s little girl. We’ll miss you and love you forever, Amani Joy,” he concluded.
In addition to this touching post, Charvarius shared two emotional stories on Instagram. One story featured a black background with the words, “I’m Broken,” while the other showed a sweet photo of Amani in a onesie with the message, “My Baby. My Life. My Queen. My Heart. My Everything.”
Monique, Amani’s grieving mother, also took to Instagram, sharing her anguish with a story that read, “My baby. God why?”
The 49ers’ official Instagram account joined in mourning, writing a heartfelt tribute to Amani and her loved ones. “Amani truly embodied pure happiness and brought joy to all those around her with her sweet demeanor and contagious laugh,” the football team expressed. They concluded by offering their support to Charvarius and Monique during this difficult time.
Earlier in the year, Charvarius had shared a carousel of heartwarming pictures and videos of Amani to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, 2024. These images showcased Amani’s radiant smile and the touching moments she shared with her parents.
In his lengthy caption, Charvarius spoke of the blessings Amani brought into their lives and admitted to once viewing Down syndrome as a handicap before recognizing it as “a gift from God.” He credited Amani with teaching him patience and how to surrender and let things be. “We couldn’t control whether she had Trisomy 21, but we can control our attitude about it,” he wrote.
Charvarius also revealed that Amani had undergone heart surgery and shared the immense love he and Monique had for their daughter. Despite the initial sadness and anger they felt upon her diagnosis, those feelings vanished when they laid eyes on their precious baby girl, born on November 17, 2022.
Before Amani’s passing, her parents had created an Instagram account for her, documenting special moments in her life, including her birth and playful times with her dad.
During this heartbreaking time, we extend our deepest condolences to Amani’s grieving parents and loved ones as they mourn their irreplaceable loss.
Our hearts go out to Charvarius, Monique, and their family. Amani’s legacy of love and joy will forever be remembered. 🌸💔