Shaquil Barrett, a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his wife Jordanna welcomed their fifth child after losing their daughter at the age of two nine months earlier. Jordanna announced on Instagram that she gave birth to their daughter, Allanah Ray, on Saturday, according to GMA.
“We welcomed Our sweet Allanah Ray, our heart is so full! 
2•3•24 we love you so much already babygirl!” she shared with photos of their newborn daughter. Jordanna subsequently shared another post, writing, “Eyes are finally open! We are so in love with you Allanah Ray
.”
Allanah Ray’s birth follows the tragic death of her older sister, Arrayah, 2, who drowned in the family pool on April 30, 2023. According to TODAY.com, authorities believe the minor’s drowning was a terrible accident.
In a July 2023 Instagram post, Jordanna said that she and her husband discovered they were expecting shortly after Arrayah’s passing. “I just know Arrayah had a special hand in picking this sweet girl to add to our family! 🩷 we are so beyond blessed, so beyond grateful that God chose to give us another little girl!” that’s what she said at the time.
“We miss our Arrayah every second of every day, but I rest in knowing she’s going to be the best big sister angel to little miss Allanah!”
Barrett was injured when their daughter, Arrayah, died. During an interview with ESPN last year, the linebacker discussed his emotional response to his daughter’s death. “It’s a daily battle. “Tough battle,” Barrett said at the time. “Today I felt it heavier than I did the last couple days,” said the 31-year-old, referring to Arrayah’s first training camp practice.
“Her smile—I just miss her so badly. Her vitality, similar to putting her to bed every night and reading stories. She just brought so much light, wholeness, and completion into our lives. We have an unfillable hole in our hearts and lives.
Barrett’s season-ending Achilles injury let him to spend more time with Arrayah at home, which he considered a godsend. “I’m not happy I got hurt, but I’m glad I was able to make the most of my extra time after being hurt last year. In retrospect, he appreciates the opportunity to spend more time with her and bond with her.