Bucs’ Shaquil Barrett thanks supporters after death of his daughter

TAMPA ― Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett thanked supporters Thursday on Instagram for their prayers and expressions of love following the accidental drowning of his 2-year-old daughter Arrayah.

“Our Arrayah sunshine was and is our world,” Barrett wrote, “and knowing she has touched so many lives is so heartwarming.”

Arrayah drowned after falling into the family’s swimming pool at their South Tampa home on April 30. Tampa Police say the incident appears to be accidental, but an investigation is continuing.

Barrett, 30, is in his fifth season with the Bucs. He and his wife, Jordanna, have three other children.

“Not a single card, note, prayer or thought has gone unnoticed,” Barrett wrote. “We feel the love from everywhere, and that wouldn’t be possible without you all.”

The family had a private memorial service for their daughter with family and friends last Friday.

“This has been the hardest couple of weeks of our lives,” Barrett wrote. “And we couldn’t have done it or start to even begin getting through this without you.”

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