Jordanna Barrett, the wife of Shaquil Barrett, has released a statement for the first time following the tragic death of their beloved 2-year-old daughter. Taking to Instagram, Jordanna expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support and shared a precious photo of her daughter, Arrayah. She said, “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for their kind words, flowers, prayers, and thoughts. Our world will never be the same.”
Arrayah held a special place in Jordanna’s heart, and she described her as the apple of her eye. In a heartfelt message, she expressed her eternal love for her baby and apologized for the sorrowful circumstances. Jordanna also asked for everyone’s support in looking after their other siblings, as well as their mother and father, until they meet again. She ended her message by saying, “We will always and forever love you. I can’t wait to hold you tight and see that priceless smile once more. I would do anything for you.”
Following the heartbreaking news of Arrayah Barrett’s passing, the sports community shared their condolences and sadness. Shaquil Barrett, a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, received support from his teammates and others in the industry. The Buccaneers released a statement expressing their sorrow and offering their thoughts and prayers to Shaq, Jordanna, and the Barrett family.
According to TMZ, the Buccaneers confirmed the tragic news on April 30, stating that no words could provide true comfort in such a profound loss. The police reported that Arrayah drowned in the family’s pool and was rushed to a local hospital on Sunday morning. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The investigation into the accident is ongoing, but preliminary findings suggest that the circumstances are not suspicious. While neither Shaq nor Jordanna have made an official statement, Shaq’s most recent Instagram post was a celebration of Arrayah’s second birthday, where he expressed his love for his “cutie girl” who brought completeness to their family.
Shaquil’s teammates, including Tom Brady, reached out on social media to express their condolences to Shaq, Jordanna, and their other children. Brady posted a picture of the Barrett family with the message, “The Bradys love you,” accompanied by a red heart emoji. Granger Smith, a country singer turned pastor who also experienced the loss of a child in a drowning incident, commented, “Love you, brother.”
According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the United States, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 5-14 after motor vehicle crashes. The majority of drownings in young children occur in swimming pools. Drowning is often a silent and swift event that can happen within seconds, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
