Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward is reminding fans that behind the helmet is a dad living through a nightmare no parent should ever have to face.
Ward’s daughter, Amani Joy, died in late October 2024 at 23 months old, just weeks before what would have been her second birthday. The little girl, who had Down syndrome and severe heart issues, passed away in California while Ward was playing for the San Francisco 49ers.
On what would have been Amani’s third birthday, the 29-year-old All-Pro — now with the Indianapolis Colts — went to Instagram Stories to share how raw the loss still feels, per People.
He posted photos of Amani on the red carpet with her daddy, at a past birthday, and one of them together outside a stadium, writing over one image: “Happy heavenly birthday Amani. Haven’t been happy since you left us. God was wrong for this.”
In another slide, Ward made it clear that football and fame don’t touch the pain he’s carrying. “F--- football. F--- this money. F--- any type of fame. Don’t care for none of it. Lost without my baby,” he wrote, signing off with his daughter’s full name and “XOXOXO.”
Ward first told the world about Amani’s death in October 2024, sharing a photo of his smiling toddler and calling his family “heartbroken” as they tried to process what had happened.
He described her as “the best blessing we could have asked for,” saying she taught him and his girlfriend, Monique Cook, patience, trust, and how to keep a positive outlook even as she faced health challenges from a young age.
Cook, who shared Amani with Ward and is now his fiancée, used her own Instagram Stories to grieve in real time after their daughter’s death, posting a black screen with the words, “My baby. God why?” and resharing Ward’s announcement.
The loss has followed Ward into every part of his life and career. He has spoken openly about dealing with PTSD since Amani’s death — waking up in the middle of the night, sweating and throwing up, and feeling “bad memories” every time he returns to California, where she passed away.