The father of Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Shaq Barrett’s has posted a heartbreaking tribute to his granddaughter who drowned in a pool in Florida.
Steve Barrett shared photos of himself with his two-year-old grandchild Arrayah Barrett late Sunday evening just hours after the news of the death was first reported.
‘Pop-Pop Loves You,’ Steve wrote in a post that has since received dozens of condolence responses.
Police first responded to a report of a child who had fallen into a pool at the Barrett’s home in Tampa around 9.30am on Sunday, according to Tampa Police.
Arrayah, who celebrated her second birthday on April 19, was taken to the hospital but attempts to save her life were unsuccessful, The Tampa Bay Times reported.
One photo the grandfather posted shows him wearing Tampa Bay Buccaneers slippers and sitting on a chair holding the baby in his arms.
In another picture, Steve is sat on a lawn chair with Arrayah in his lap as they sit outside and stare out into the distance.
The post quickly received hundreds of reactions and comments from the man’s friends and
‘Sending my Prayers and Love to your family at this time of bereavement. May the Lord keep you all wrapped in his loving arms and be a heart regulatory to you all. Much love you the family,’ wrote one person.
‘My deepest condolences to you and your family,’ another wrote.
‘Our prayers are with you my brother we love you may God continue to bless you and strengthen you and your family,’ one friend responded.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates have also offered their support and love to the Barrett family following the tragic loss of the toddler.
Tom Brady posted a photo of Barrett, his wife Jordanna, their four children and their dog and added the emotional message: ‘The Bradys love you.’
Barrett, 30, has played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2019. Brady, 45, joined the following year.
The Buccaneers issued a statement Sunday confirming Arrayah’s tragic death and sharing their condolences for the family.
‘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,’ the statement read .
Jordanna and Barrett have three surviving children: sons Shaquil Jr. and Braylon, and daughter Aaliyah.
The two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion agreed to a four-year, $72million contract with the Buccaneers in March 2021.
Barrett sustained a season-ending injury in October, suffering a torn left Achilles during the Buccaneers’ Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
He finished the 2022 campaign with 31 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble in eight games.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Barrett has 348 tackles, 54.5 sacks, 19 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in 115 career games (69 starts) with the Denver Broncos (2015-18) and Buccaneers.
The Broncos sent well-wishes to their former player on Sunday. He played with Denver between 2014 and 2018.
Other teams including the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks also sent their condolences to Barrett and his wife.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson wrote on Twitter: ‘Heartbreaking. Praying for you and your family Shaq.’
An investigation is underway but Arrayah’s death is not believed to be suspicious.
Arrayah was the youngest of four children that Baltimore-born Barrett has with his wife Jordanna.
In a photo shared to Instagram, marking their daughter’s second birthday, Jordanna wrote: ‘Happy Second birthday my little Arrayah Sunshine!
‘We love you so much! You are the completion to our family, the apple to our eyes! You’ve become the most fun, energetic, entertaining, sweet, kind, smart, precious little girl we could have ever dreamed of!
‘Your big sis, big bros, and momma and daddy love you to the moon and back.
‘Happy birthday Arrayah Sue.’
