Ward opens up about tragedy, potential ‘final goodbye’ with 49ers

SANTA CLARA — After the most tragic year of his life, 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward looks ahead with a motivated, yet uncertain, future. The All-Pro is set to become a free agent after spending three seasons with the 49ers, but re-signing Ward might not be as easy for San Francisco as it seems. Living in California has been a struggle since the defender lost his almost 2-year-old daughter Amani Joy on Oct. 28. "I had the two best years of my career here, and I feel like this year was probably the worst year of my career," Ward said Monday, the day after the 49ers' final game of the 2024 NFL season. "Just because of what I went through, off the field, with my daughter and I almost lost my son early on in the pregnancy as well before I lost my daughter. It was just a effed up year all around for me, for sure." Ward managed to return to the 49ers and play in their Dec. 1 game against the Buffalo Bills. But even a month later, being away from his family and home in Dallas was a tremendous struggle. "It took everything, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually," Ward said. "It took all of that every day for me to just come here and be able to practice. I wasn't going to...