SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The young daughter of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward has passed away after facing significant heart challenges since she was born.

Ward announced the heartbreaking news on Instagram, revealing that his daughter, Amani Joy, died on Monday morning.

“She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear,” he expressed.

He continued, “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.”

Amani Joy was born prematurely with Down syndrome and underwent open-heart surgery in April 2023.

The 49ers organization released a statement mourning her loss, stating they are “devastated” by her death.

“Amani truly embodied pure happiness and brought joy to all those around her with her sweet demeanor and contagious laugh,” the statement noted. “We will continue to grieve with Charvarius and Monique, while sending them our love and support during this unimaginable time.”

Currently, the 49ers are on a bye week.

The 28-year-old Ward has been a consistent player since joining the 49ers in 2022, having started all 41 of his games.

Last season, he was recognized as a second-team All-Pro and was pivotal in the team’s recent victory against the Dallas Cowboys, playing almost all defensive snaps.