Charvarius Ward Speaks Out About the Pain of Returning to Practice After Daughter’s Passing

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward is going through something no parent should ever have to: the loss of a child. Ward’s one-year-old daughter Amani Joy died in October after dealing with a slew of heart issues.

Ward spoke very candidly with The Athletic about the struggles he’s had off the field this past season. He even connected them to how they’ve affected his play and how his team has played all season.

The 49ers are 6-8 after a tough loss this week on Thursday Night Football to the Los Angeles Rams. The loss gave them the go-ahead to kiss their playoff hopes goodbye and shift their focus to 2025.

The reigning NFC Champions came very close to hoisting a Lombardi trophy back in February. They took the field this season in hopes of getting back to that level yet again, but many factors have contributed to their shortcomings in 2024.

Ward commented on his personal matter and how it’s been the most challenging thing about this frustrating season.

“There’s been a dark cloud over us all season,” Ward said. “This will be a good offseason for this team to regroup, refocus, and try to rekindle the spark.”

Ward is set to be a free agent this off-season; even if he were to leave behind playing for the 49ers, he still wished them well in the future.

“I don’t know if I’m gonna be back,” Ward said. “But I know this team is still gonna be great, with or without me.”

Ward’s tragic loss of his baby daughter has affected both his play and how he is around team facilities. He talked about working through the grief while showing up to work every day in some fashion.

“It’s been hard for me personally to go to work every day, every game –  even to practice or go to meetings,” Ward said. “I almost left a couple of times. I know fans probably hate me (for saying that), but (expletive) it, it’s real life. It’s bigger than football. This is the hardest time of my life for sure.”

The 49ers are in the hunt for the NFC playoff picture, but the next three games mean close to nothing out of the uphill battle that has been the 2024 season. Ward still may need time to grieve, as any parent would. As for the 49ers, they need to hit a reset button.