The 1-year-old daughter of Charvarius Ward died unexpectedly Monday morning, the San Francisco 49ers’ cornerback announced on social media Tuesday. Ward, 28, was fiercely proud of his daughter, Amani Joy, who was born five weeks early with Down syndrome and a heart defect that required successful open-heart surgery when she was about 4 months old in April 2023. Ward has credited his 2023 season, in which he earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his seven-year career, to the joy and peace he experienced due to their hard-earned bond. Amani Joy and her mom, Ward’s girlfriend, Monique Cook, attended the 49ers’ 30-24 win over the Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night. “We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning,” Ward wrote. “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. 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 statement, the 49ers said they were “devastated” and would continue to grieve with Ward and Monique during an “unimaginable time.” More For You How 49ers’ Charvarius Ward was transformed through his daughter’s love San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward’s life on and off the field dramatically… “Amani truly embodied pure happiness and brought joy to all those around her with her sweet demeanor and contagious laugh,” the 49ers said. Ward spoke to the Chronicle in February about his relationship with his daughter, with whom he struggled to connect for much of her first year. Ward noted she often cried when he extended his arms and wanted to stay with Monique. However, Ward had a breakthrough with his daughter in mid-November. “I put her down in her (crib) and she just looked at me and smiled,” Ward said. “I was just like, ‘Damn, this is just beautiful.’ And I love that feeling that she gave me when she smiled.”
The moment coincided with Ward’s second-half surge. He had 11 of his NFL-high 23 pass breakups and three of five interceptions in the final seven regular-season games. He returned one pick 66 yards for a touchdown, his first score since he played Pop Warner. “It was a huge change in his mood,” Monique said. “His confidence changed. He was a lot happier. He comes in every day and she lights up. She’s smiling. She hears his voice and she will literally look around like, ‘Where is this man?’ “For any father, especially when you’re like, ‘Dang, we’re supposed to be best friends,’ and then to see your child light up when she sees you? I think that just sparked something in him. It gave him that motivation. Like, ‘We’re good. Life is good now. That’s all I was missing.'”
