Buccaneers' Shaquil Barrett, ‘I Love You’, to Daughter Arrayah After Pick-Six

Shaquil Barrett was the focus of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ biggest play on Sunday, but his focus was on his late daughter Arrayah.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have experienced a lot of ups and downs over the past few years.

From the joys of adding Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, to a Buccaneers Super Bowl win, to the disappointments following the loss of center Ryan Jensen to a potentially career-ending injury and a sad exit from the 2022 NFL Playoffs.

But none have experienced the recent pain that Tampa Bay outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett and his family have experienced after losing their young daughter Arrayah in a tragic accident earlier this year.

After he secured the Bucs’ second win of the season against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Barrett knew the spotlight was on him again, and took the opportunity to make sure his late daughter knew she was still with him on the field, and in his heart.

“I always played for my family already,” Barrett said following the win. “But then having that extra incentive and making me want to go a little harder for it. It never stops and it [is] always going to suck but at least I’m able to shine some spotlight on her a little bit. Camera was on me after I made the play, I told her I love you, miss you, wish she was 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, and now matter what it is, it works for good, so I’m just trusting in that and just going through everyday trusting and believing that.”

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Barrett and wife Jordanna have had to grieve very publicly and with all that today’s world of celebrity and accessibility brings with it.

Outside of an initial period of privacy, however, both Barrett parents have also chosen to been very open about their pain as a memorial to their daughter, and in hopes their experience will help others. 

It’s not unusual to see each posting messages of remembrance and love from either of them, and now, it’ll be something Barrett ensures becomes part of his on field performances as well.

“I just know (God) [doesn’t] give us more than we can handle even though it felt like he did for sure,” Barrett continued. “But he’s just setting us up for something, can’t say better because what can be better than having my baby girl here, but he’s setting us up for something that we need.”

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On Sunday, what was needed for Tampa Bay was a big play, and they got it from a man who needed an opportunity to continue showing his love for a child who didn’t have much time to do it, but left a lasting impression that her parents are ensuring will continue for years to come.

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