By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 09:55 EST, 17 November 2025 | Updated: 09:55 EST, 17 November 2025
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward has marked the birthday of his late baby daughter by saying he hasn't felt happy since she died in October 2024.
Amani Joy was only a year old when she died shortly before her second birthday after being born with Down syndrome and two holes in her heart.
Commemorating her November 17 birthday, Ward shared several pics of his daughter and wrote: 'Happy heavenily birthday AMANI. Haven't been happy since you left us. God was wrong for this.'
He added: 'F*** football. F*** this money. F*** any type of fame. Don't care for none of it. Lost without my baby.'
The 29-year-old Ward had repeatedly referenced his daughter as being his inspiration behind his career, which so far has seen him enjoy plenty of success.
At the time of her passing, Ward wrote on social media: 'She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear. She taught us to have patience, trust, and a positive outlook on life.
Charvarius Ward has shared a heartbreaking social media post on his late daughter's birthday
Amani Joy died before her second birthday in 2024
Ward spoke about his struggles on social media
'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.'
In July, Ward announced his engagement to his longtime partner Monique, Amani's mother. She wrote on Instagram on Monday: 'Happy heavenly birthday babygirl, my heart will forever be broken without you.'
Ward won the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in Florida in 2019, beating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20.
His contract expired after the 2021 campaign, Ward headed west and signed for the Niners on a three-year, $40.5million deal where he reached the Super Bowl again, coming up against his former team in Las Vegas but losing 25-22 in overtime.
And in March, after his 49ers deal expired, he signed a three-year, $54m deal with the Indianapolis Colts - the surprise team of the NFL season so far.
They lead the AFC South with an 8-2 record, with quarterback Daniel Jones overseeing a stunning transformation both for the team and on a personal level after a difficult time with the New York Giants.
But as it stands, Ward is on the injured reserve list for the Colts after getting concussed in a bizarre pregame collision with teammate Drew Ogletree before the Week 6 game against Arizona Cardinals.
It was Ward's second concussion of the season but he is scheduled to come off injured reserve this week and return to his team for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Ward pictured with longtime partner and Amani's mother, Monique - they got engaged in July
Ward, 29, joined the Indianapolis Colts back in March on a three-year, $54million contract
Ward has company in the cornerback position now, with the Colts trading for Sauce Gardner during his absence.
The organization sent two first-round picks to the New York Jets to land Gardner, one of the standout moves before the trade deadline in early November.
Sunday's game against the Chiefs is one of the standout showdowns of Week 12, with the Chiefs under increasing pressure after losing to the Denver Broncos at the weekend.
They are 5-5 in the AFC West, meaning Sunday's game at Arrowhead is simply a must-win for Patrick Mahomes and his men.
Indianapolis Colts