Charvarius Ward's Daughter Amani Joy,1, Had Down Syndrome And Heart Issues Since Birth

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward on Tuesday announced that his one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy, has died. The NFL star remembered her 'joyous spirit' and 'bravery' in a social media post. "She will forever be daddy's best friend and mommy's little girl. We'll miss you and love you forever, Amani Joy," Ward said. "We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning," Ward wrote on his Instagram account. "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.Read More:

Joy was born prematurely with Down syndrome. She experienced heart issues since birth and also had an open-heart surgery as recently as April 11, 2023.Read More: The 49ers also released a statement Tuesday. "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."Charvarius Ward, 28, is in his third season with the San Francisco 49ers. He began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018.