"Arrayah was the apple of my eye, and my heart will forever be with hers. I love you so much, my baby" her mother wrote.
After the passing of Shaquil Barrett's 2-year-old daughter Arrayah, the family of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker is speaking out. Jordanna, Shaquil's wife, sent out a message regarding the devastating news on Instagram on May 3. She thanked everyone who had gotten in touch with the family during this unbelievably difficult time, per PEOPLE.
"Thank you all for all the messages, flowers, thoughts and prayers. Our world will never be the same," the bereaved mother wrote. "Arrayah was the apple of my eye, and my heart will forever be with hers. I love you so much, my baby. I am so, so sorry. Until we see each other again, please watch over your siblings and momma and dada," she continued. "We love you forever and ever and always. I can't wait to see that precious smile again and just hug you so close. I wish we had more time. I love you."
Jordanna also linked the post to Arrayah's obituary, which remembers the toddler as having a "sparkle in her eyes that drew your attention. Her endearing nature was so kind and magnetic."
Arrayah, the youngest child of the athlete, and his wife Jordanna drowned on Sunday, April 30, morning at the family's Tampa Bay home swimming pool. Arrayah was transported to a nearby hospital once authorities arrived and there, in spite of efforts to save her life, was pronounced dead.
Please send a prayer up for Shaq Barrett and his family after the tragic drowning of his 2 year old daughter, Arrayah, in the family pool this morning. Unimaginable tragedy. https://t.co/82ttWz6gVh
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 30, 2023
Following the public disclosure of Arrayah's passing, the Buccaneers made a formal Twitter announcement. "Today's tragic news is heartbreaking for all the members of the Buccaneers family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Shaq, Jordanna, and the entire Barrett family during this unimaginably difficult time," the statement read. "While no words can provide true comfort at a time such as this, we offer our support and love as they begin to process this very profound loss of their beloved Arrayah."
Tragedy: The 2-year-old daughter of a Tampa Bay #Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett, Arrayah, drowned in the swimming pool at the family’s south Tampa home Sunday morning.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 30, 2023
💔💔💔, sending my thoughts and prayers to the Barrett family.
Rest easy young Angel🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/4SFj1ZkMGQ
Tom Brady, the former quarterback of the Buccaneers, too sent his sympathy. He shared a picture on his Instagram Story of a beaming Barrett, wearing the team's uniform, relaxing on a couch with his family. The seven-time Super Bowl champion wrote over the picture, "The Bradys love you," and added prayer emojis.
Arrayah had just celebrated her second birthday on April 19 before she passed away. Her father had written a moving note on Instagram to her along with a picture of her in a pink tutu to commemorate her 2nd birthday. "Happy 2nd bday to my cutie girl. So sweet and cute. You made our family complete. I love you baby girl😘😘," he wrote.
References:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CryuhsUvTti/
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tampa-fl/arrayah-barrett-11274481
Cover Image Source: (L) Getty Images | Michael Hickey ; (R) Twitter | @NFL_Stats
