Buc’s LB Shaquil Barrett ‘Lean[s] on the Lord’ After 2-Year-Old Daughter’s Death

Published: August 9, 2023

Buc’s LB Shaquil Barrett ‘Lean[s] on the Lord’ After 2-Year-Old Daughter’s Death

By Movieguide® Contributor

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barret spoke out for the first time since the death of his two-year-old daughter, Arrayah, who drowned in the family’s pool on April 30.

“She was the best,” Barrett said during a press conference. “Like, she was literally the best at everything all around: smile, her personality. Even when she was being naughty, she still looked so cute…She just brought so much brightness and wholeness and completeness to our lives.”

Since losing Arrayah, Barrett and his wife, Jordanna, have relied on each other and their faith in God.

“It’s a daily battle, a tough battle…It just comes in waves,” Barrett said. “We just talk to each other, talk through it with each other and just lean on each other to get ourselves through and lean on the Lord as well.”

During last year’s Super Bowl run, Barrett consistently gave all the glory to God and even declared he was spending more time with God and becoming more intentional about his faith.

“It just grounded me and made me realize what was important, and where I get the power from, where I get the strength to do all my daily activities, and then just the blessings that He keeps bestowing upon me and my family,” Barrett said.

“It’s just amazing. I just want Him to know that. I want to give Him all the praise, honor and glory,” he added. “That’s the reason why I’m able to do everything that I’m able to do on the field, off the field—it’s all because of Him.”

Just two months after Arrayah’s death, the Barretts found out they were expecting another baby.

Jordanna shared the news on her Instagram and wrote, “We miss our Arrayah every second of every day, but I rest in knowing she’s going to be the best big sister angel to little miss Allanah! #TGBTG ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the lord. Not to harm you, nor prosper you, but to give you HOPE and a future.’”

She concluded, “I serve a God who cares, a God who gives, a God who takes away, a God who comforts, and a God who unwavering loves us when we do not deserve it,” she wrote. “Thank you Jesus!”

Sports Spectrum reported of Barrett, “The two-time Pro Bowler is entering the third year of the four-year, $72 million deal he signed in 2021 to remain in Tampa Bay. Signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 2014, Barrett spent five seasons with the team before joining the Buccaneers in 2019. He led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2019, helped lead Tampa Bay win the Super Bowl in 2020, and made the Pro Bowl for the second time in 2021.”

The Buccaneers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers for their pre-season opener on August 11 and travel to the Minnesota Vikings for Game One of the regular season.