Shaquil Barrett Dedicates First Touchdown to Late Daughter: 'It Was Divine Intervention'

The Tampa Bay linebacker, whose 2-year-old daughter drowned in April, honored her memory following his team's win over Chicago

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett scored the first touchdown of his nine-year NFL career Sunday and dedicated his triumph to his daughter Arrayah, who died earlier this year following a drowning accident.

"I do feel like it was divine intervention to be able to just get that spotlight on my baby girl," Barrett told reporters during a press conference after the Buccaneers' 27-17 win over the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

"The camera was on me after I made the play," he recalled. "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 shares three other children with his wife Jordanna, including sons Shaquil Jr., 11, and Braylon, 10, and daughter Aaliyah, 8 — wore a necklace featuring a heart-shaped pendant during the press conference. The pendant features a photo of his daughter Arrayah, reports Today.com.

"I'll always play for my family already. But then having like, that extra incentive and making me want to go a little harder for her, [but] it never stops sucking," he continued, adding "It's always gonna suck. But at least I'm able to shine some spotlight on her a little bit."

The linebacker recently returned to the field after an Achilles injury sidelined him last season. Despite his frustration at the injury, Barrett told ESPN it was a blessing in disguise because it gave him more time with Arrayah.

"This is a daily battle. Tough battle," Barrett told the outlet on July 31. "Today I felt it heavier today than I did the last couple days."

Related: Shaquil Barrett's Wife Jordanna Honors Him on First Father's Day Since Daughter's Death

"Her smile — I just miss her so much. Her energy, just like putting her to bed every night, reading stories," he told ESPN. "She just brought so much brightness and wholeness and completeness to our lives."

Arrayah died after drowning in a pool at her family's Tampa Bay residence on the morning of April 30. Authorities arrived after receiving a call that a child had fallen into a pool, according to a statement from the Tampa Police Department obtained by PEOPLE at the time.

The little girl was brought to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead despite lifesaving measures, authorities said.

"It is not believed to be suspicious in nature at this time, but a purely accidental and tragic incident," police said.

The Buccaneers later sent their condolences to Barrett in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Related: Granger Smith, Whose Son Died by Drowning, Reaches Out to Shaquil Barrett After Daughter's Death

"Today's tragic news is heartbreaking for all the members of the Buccaneers family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Shaq, Jordanna and the entire Barrett family during this unimaginably difficult time," the statement read. "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."

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Before her death, Arrayah celebrated her second birthday on April 19. Her dad shared a tribute on Instagram at the time of the toddler wearing a pink tutu.

"Happy 2nd bday to my cutie girl. So sweet and cute. You made our family complete. I love you baby girl😘😘," Barrett wrote.

On June 30, two months after Arraya's death, her mother Jordanna announced via an Instagram post that she was pregnant with the Barrett family's fifth child.

"A few weeks after our sweet girls heaven day, Shaquil and I found out we were expecting," she began in the caption of the post that shared a photo of a positive pregnancy test alongside the text "Allanah Ray February 2024."

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