The San Francisco 49ers described themselves as shocked at the death of Charvarius Ward’s daughter as the almost-two-year-old lost her battle against heart issues, leaving the organization hurting as they rally around the cornerback.

Amani Joy died on October 28, just shy of her second birthday, and had been born prematurely with down syndrome as well as battling chronic health issues, in a gut-wrenching tragedy for the 28-year-old father.

She had been born with holes in her heart and, despite being an infant, she already had to undergo open-heart surgery in April 2023 in a bid to improve her quality of life and to keep her alive, until the saddening revelation of her death.

So the 49ers rallied around their player and offered their support, with football teams known for being like second families, as the general manager, John Lynch, empathized with Ward and his grief.

“Our organization is just shook, really shaken for the family,” Lynch told KNBR. “Amani was at the game the night before, in the daycare that we have.

“And it’s just the unspeakable deal of going to bed and waking up [to losing her]. We were able to be around him.

“But you don’t know what to say. You just pray, you get love, and continue to be there for the Ward family.”

Lynch says Amani was happy in short life

Despite the tragedy of losing a child at any age, especially so young, Lynch revealed that Amani lived a happy life even though it was short as he praised Ward for rising up to the challenge of parenthood.

“We had all kind of lived through this with Mooney [Ward]… he was so excited to become a first-time dad,’ Lynch added. “And then, they had a fear that you’re going to have a baby, it may indeed have Down syndrome.

“The baby was born with Down syndrome but Mooney’s attitude, his wife’s attitude, where they were going to love this little girl.

“And Joy was the perfect middle name because every time he saw her, she just had this giant smile, was always laughing.

“Mooney, his perspective, as it does when you’re a parent, changed so much. And Mooney just had such a deep love for this young lady.”