In Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season, Shaq Barrett secured his first career NFL touchdown, picking off Bears quarterback Justin Fields four yards outside of the Chicago end zone and barreling in for the score.
The moment wasn't just special due to it being a first for the Buccaneers linebacker. It was Barrett's first game since the tragic death of his 2-year-old daughter, Arrayah, this offseason.
"I do feel like it was divine intervention to be able to just get that spotlight on my baby girl," Barrett said after the Buccaneers' 27-17 win. "The camera was on me after I made the play.
"I told [Arrayah], 'I love you, miss you, wish you were here,' and so I'm glad I'm able to still get some spotlight for her and to the Lord above because he's the reason why we're here right now and just trust in his plan."
Barrett, who is in his fifth season with Tampa Bay, opened up before this season about the tragedy that struck his family. He has dedicated this year to Arrayah, and has honored her with a tattoo on his right forearm.
"This is a daily battle. Tough battle," Barrett said to ESPN in July. "Today I felt it heavier today than I did the last couple days.
"Her smile — I just miss her so much. Her energy, just like putting her to bed every night, reading stories. She just brought so much brightness and wholeness and completeness to our lives. And we most definitely have a big, big, big, big, big hole in our hearts and our lives that we won't be able to fill."
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What happened to Shaq Barrett's daughter?
Barrett's daughter, Arrayah, died in a drowning accident in a pool at her family's Tampa residence on the morning of April 30.
According to a statement from the Tampa Police Department, authorities arrived after receiving a 911 call that a child had fallen into a pool. The girl was brought to a local hospital, where lifesaving measures were performed, however, she was pronounced dead shortly after.
In the statement by TPD, the police department stated that "it is not believed to be suspicious in nature at this time, but a purely accidental and tragic incident."
Shaq Barrett family
In addition to Arrayah, Barrett has three other children with his wife Jordanna.
They include his sons Shaquil Jr., 11, and Braylon, 10, and their daughter Aaliyah, 8.
In addition, the couple are expecting another child in early 2024, which brought mixed emotions to Barrett and his family.
"We know there's no replacing Arrayah," Barrett said. "There's nothing ever in this world that can happen to replace our baby girl. It's never going to be the same without her.
"She would've been the best big sister. Like, it just, it's bittersweet. It's bittersweet because I know she's in a better place, but I would 100% prefer her to be here with us, selfishly. It's a lot. There's just a lot that goes on throughout the day."
