Hakeem Adeniji, an NFL player, has lost his first child. He broke the tragic news on Monday, saying that his child died six days before his due date.
The Cleveland Browns star, 26, described the loss as “the worst moment of my life” in a heartbreaking Instagram video, saying, “I know everybody that knows me knows how bad I wanted to… be a dad.”
According to him, his wife, Kayla, who became pregnant after a “long process” of in vitro fertilization, went to the hospital when she was unable to feel the unborn child moving. Six days before the boy’s due date, an ultrasound confirmed the stillbirth.
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“We got to hold him. We got to spend some moments with him. We’ll never forget him. We love him. He’s going to live on in our hearts forever,” he said.
His wife also expressed her heartbreak on Instagram, saying, “The moment I held him for the first time I couldn’t believe how beautiful he was. I dreamt of seeing his face for so long. I dreamt of this moment for years. It just felt like he was taking a nap in my arms, he looked so peaceful.
“Today, November 7th at 7:30am, we were supposed to check into the hospital for a scheduled induction. We are choosing to use this day to honor our little boy and create our new family traditions. The Lion King was Hakeem’s favorite movie and he always talked about how he couldn’t wait to watch it with our son. So we will do exactly that and remember our brave little boy. Until I can hold your hand again son, I love you.”
Despite the anger, pain, and resentment the situation caused, Adeniji expressed that “Kayla and I want to remember him for all the happy times he gave us, and all the hard moments he got us through.” He went on to say that he didn’t want others to treat him differently because of their loss and that he still liked children and wanted to share in others’ joys.
He assured his supporters that he and his wife would get through this difficult time and expressed gratitude for the help his family has gotten.
He stated, “I know my little soldier is up there watching us and giving us strength. Everyday that god continues to wake me up I will do right by him and make him proud. This will be hard, but that’s life. Always has been and probably always will be. We appreciate all the prayers, support and well wishes from everyone it is much appreciated. I still want to be a dad more than anything else in this world, and he gave me that even though it was short lived. When and if I ever get that opportunity again I’ll never take a day for granted. I love my boy and he will live through Us.”
