49ers’ Charvarius Ward opens up about loss of 1-year-old daughter

December 16, 2024:

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward admitted the team has had a “dark cloud” hanging over it all season long amid a spate of injuries and off-field issues.

Ward suffered his own tragedy earlier this year when his 1-year-old daughter passed away. He opened up a bit about it in an interview with The Athletic on Thursday night.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, #7, after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on Oct 6, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images)

“It’s been hard for me personally to go to work every day, every game — even to practice or go to meetings,” he told the outlet. “I almost left a couple of times. S—, I know fans probably hate me (for saying that), but f— it, it’s real life. It’s bigger than football.

“This is the hardest time of my life for sure.”

Ward missed three games from Nov. 10 to Nov. 24 and returned to the 49ers for their 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 1.

He announced that his daughter, Amani Joy, had passed away on Oct. 29.

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

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, #7, attempts to gather the ball on a Dallas Cowboys incomplete pass during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Oct 27, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images)

JOSH ALLEN DAZZLES IN BILLS’ WIN OVER LIONS IN HIGH-SCORING BOUT

“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.”

The San Francisco Chronicle detailed Ward and girlfriend Monique Cook’s parenthood journey earlier this year, beginning with their fear after learning their baby had Down syndrome after a blood test, and a heart defect was spotted in an ultrasound.

Ward was the optimist in this situation, telling Cook that she would be a beautiful girl, and regardless of what happened, they would love and take care of her.

Amani underwent open-heart surgery 10 months after being born, and Ward admitted that seeing his baby at night when he would lay her down to sleep just filled him with joy.

Ward, a 28-year-old undrafted free agent, is in his seventh NFL season. He began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, helping the team win a Super Bowl before joining the 49ers in 2022.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, #17, reacts after making a catch for a first down next to San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, #7, in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec 12, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The 49ers gave Ward as much time as he needed to get back.

Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Source link

tags

Abkhazia Afghanistan Africa Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Northern Cyprus Norway Oman Pakistan Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Lucia Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda UK Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay USA Uzbekistan Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe