Dalton Risner's wife, Whitney Marie Risner, had expressed immense joy and excitement about her pregnancy. The couple was awaiting the arrival of their baby boy. But tragically, things didn't work out.
On Friday, Whitney shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, revealing that she and the Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman had lost their baby at 16 weeks into the pregnancy.
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"I never imagined our journey to starting a family would begin like this. This is our second loss in just a couple of months," Whitney Risner wrote in an Instagram post
. "I don't know exactly what the future holds, and that uncertainty is incredibly hard. But even in the midst of heartbreak and grief, I know God is still good.
"This loss has introduced me to a depth of pain and heartbreak that I never knew existed," she continued. "It feels like I've lost so much… our precious baby boy, pieces of myself, and the future I had planned out for the past 4 months."
She also reflected on the support she has found in her husband during an unimaginably difficult time. "More than ever, I've realized how important it is who you marry and choose to walk through life with," Whitney wrote. "Life is hard in so many different ways. I truly can't imagine getting through this without my rock and best friend, @dalton_risner66."
The couple had announced they were expecting their first child in June.
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This is the second time the Risners have lost a pregnancy, with the first one happening only a couple of months ago. The couple has been married since 2022.
Whitney also expressed her gratitude toward everyone who prayed for the couple and checked in on them throughout their journey. She further extended comfort to others suffering a similar fate. She assured anyone else walking that same painful road that they are absolutely not alone.
The news quickly drew support from the NFL community.
"Oh I am just so terribly sorry!!!" Baker Mayfield's wife, Emily, wrote in the comments. "Oh Whit, so incredibly sorry. Sending you all the love and so many prayers❤️," wrote Cali Prieskorn, wife of Detroit Lions tight end Caden Prieskorn.
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"I'm w u!!✊🏾✊🏾❤️❤️," Cincinnati Bengals
cornerback D.J. Turner commented.
"Sending love your way🖤," Myles Murphy, the team's defensive end, added.
"Praying for yall 💙," Bengals tackle Cody Ford wrote.
"Ohhh Whit. I'm so incredibly sad to read this. I am praying for you both and I'm so glad you have each other to get through this unthinkable heart ache. Love you! ❤️," Atoya Burleson, the wife of former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson, wrote.
The heartbreak of losing a child is a painful event. But Dalton and Whitney Risner
aren't carrying it alone. Surrounded by the love, prayers, and support of their extended NFL family, the couple leaned on each other.
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