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Former NFL RB Giovani Bernard announces death of newborn son

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle•02/29/24•

NikkiChavanelle

Giovani Bernard
Sam Greene/The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Former Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard opened up this week about the death of his newborn son. He and his wife Chloé shared the news of their loss on Instagram. Bernard wrote a note to his second son, whom they named Gabriel.

“You were loved from the moment we learned of your presence, spoken too daily and prayed for by many,” Bernard said. “Your heart was strong and you were so playful from the moment we were able to lay eyes on you.”

“We are grateful to have held you and had our little time together,” he continued. “The moment was brief but filled with a whirlwind of emotions. From pure joy to seeing you for the first time to uncontrollable sadness. Mama, papa and Julz love you very and you will always be our little warrior. We love you Gabriel. And to Chloé, I couldn’t imagine doing life without you. I am especially thankful to call you my wife. You are more than what I could’ve imagined in a spouse, mother, and partner. You truly are remarkable. Our story together continues. 2/8/24”

Bernard, wife Chloé memorialize newborn son

Giovani and Chloé welcomed their first son Julian two years ago after getting married in 2019. Bernard last played in the league for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. He announced his retirement officially in April after 10 years in the league.

Hailing from South Florida, Bernard entered the league in 2013. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted him No. 37 overall in the second round of the draft out of North Carolina. Upon his retirement, Bernard opened up about how the Bengals scooped him up early in the draft.

“People talk about it as a life-changing experience,” Bernard said. “But for me, it was a moment of gratitude. One, I had no idea what to expect. To go as high as I did, I’m not going to say it was a shock, but it was like, ‘Wow, they think really highly of me.’ It’s more about gratitude than the whole change of life thing. I’m sure grateful to those people that gave me those opportunities and I met a lot of really, really damn good people.”

Over 10 seasons, Bernard accumulated 3,783 rushing yards, 2,989 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns. The last time he played a full season, in 2020 for the Bengals, he had 416 rushing yards and three touchdowns.