San Francisco 49ers cornerback Harvarius Ward confessed to the tragic death of her 23-month-old daughter, Amani Joyit could affect what’s next for him professionally.
Ward, 28, is currently a free agent despite being the general manager of the 49ers John Lynch indicated he would like to re-sign Ward if the contract makes sense.
The football star announced the death of his daughter in October 2024, writing via Instagram that “she was the best blessing we could ask for.” Ward and his partner, Monica Cookwelcomed Amani in November 2022. An official cause of death has not been released, although she struggled with heart problems throughout her short life.
“You know, I have a lot of injuries in California,” Ward told reporters on Monday, Jan. 6. “There were great moments, but the worst thing that ever happened to me—probably ever going to happen to a tree—happened in California.
Ward is in his third season with the 49ers after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It just brings back bad memories,” Ward continued. “Every time I get on a plane to go back to California, San Jose, here, it’s just a bad memory. I go through this every night alone because my girl doesn’t want to go back to California because of what happened.
He added of Cook: “She’s my strength right now. I need her.
Ward admitted that “it was hard for me personally to go to work every day, every game,” even going so far as to say he “almost quit a couple of times.”
“H—, I know the fans probably hate me (for thinking about leaving the team), but damn, that’s real life,” he said. “It’s bigger than football. This is certainly the most difficult period of my life.”
According to AthleticWard spent much of the day cleaning out the 49ers’ lockers on Monday, signing jerseys for his teammates, seemingly indicating he won’t be returning to the team.
Still, Ward suggested there’s still hope he’ll be a Niner next season. “If they can afford me, there’s a chance I’ll come back,” he said.
Courtesy of Amani Joy Ward/Instagram Monique Cook, the girlfriend of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, broke her silence on Wednesday, two days after the death of the couple’s 23-month-old daughter, Amani Joy. “My baby. God, why 💔💔?” Cook wrote via his Instagram story. Ward, 28, announced Amani’s death on Tuesday. “We are devastated that our (…)
Two days after announcing Amani’s death, Ward admitted it was struggling with his grief.
“My soul is bleeding. I need you, Amani. You didn’t deserve this. 💔💔💔💔,” he wrote via his Instagram story along with a photo of Amani lying on his chest.
In Ward and Cook’s initial note on Amani’s death, the couple said their late daughter “overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy, lighting up any room with her smile.”
“The privilege of being her parents and seeing the world through her eyes has changed us for the better,” their post continued. “She will forever be Daddy’s best friend and Mommy’s little girl. We will miss you and love you forever, Amani Joy.”
