Shaq Barret is a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he and his wife lost their daughter in April in a drowning accident in the family’s swimming pool. Barrett is taking the field for the first time since that accident, and he put on quite a show, scoring his first career touchdown on Sunday.
Upon scoring the first touchdown of his career, a pick-six that clinched the game for the Buccaneers, Barrett spent a moment alone thinking about his daughter and talking to her briefly. After the game, Barrett shared a memorable moment with reporters in the media room.
Barrett said, “It never stops. It’s always going to suck. Camera was on me after I made the play. Told her ‘I love you, miss you, wish you was here.’ I’m glad I’m able to still get some spotlight for her.”
Bucs LB Shaquil Barrett had a sack and game-sealing INT return for a touchdown Sunday in the 27-17 win over the Bears. Afterward, he looked into the camera and told his late daughter, Arrayah, he loved her. The 2 year old drowned last spring. pic.twitter.com/QVXfdiNAix
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 17, 2023
Prior to week one, Barrett revealed that the trauma of losing his daughter was making it hard for him to focus on football. He shared about this in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times.
He said, “Literally, last week before the game I was struggling. Then I was struggling real bad. I couldn’t stop crying. I called my wife, and some of the coaches checked in on me. Then like out of the blue, everything just went away and I was able to focus on a game. My wife says people pray for me, and I actually felt that wave of emotions slide to the side, and I was actually able to focus.”
With one of the most tearjerking moments in the books for the NFL season already, many fans and players hope that Barrett and his family can find peace and begin to live a life where their daughter is remembered without grieve and regret.
Shaq’s wife Jordanna Barrett released a statement back in April on Instagram, saying, “Thank you all for all the messages, flowers, thoughts and prayers. Our world will never be the same. 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. We love you forever and ever and always.”
Jordanna continued, saying, “I can’t wait to see that precious smile again, and just hug you so close. I would do absolutely anything. There is no Barrett 6 without you, and we will forever hold your place down here, until we all meet again in heaven. I love you forever and always.”
The family’s faith in God is a welcome sight, and He will no doubt lead the family to acceptance about the loss of their daughter. With the hope of being reunited again one day in Heaven, the Barrett family is doing its best to carry on as normal. Shaq Barrett’s touchdown on Sunday, however, is a tearjerking reminder of the pain that the family has felt in 2023.
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