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Nick Wagoner, ESPN writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Sondra Williams, the wife of San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams, announced that the couple had a son, Trenton Jr., who was stillborn on Nov. 24.
In a post on her Instagram account over the weekend, Sondra Williams said Trenton Jr. was stillborn at 35 weeks of pregnancy, adding that the couple lost Trenton’s twin early in her pregnancy.
“Thank you God for allowing us to come together for 35 weeks and for giving birth to you so I could hold you in my arms,” wrote Sondra Williams. “I am at peace knowing that you will never have to suffer.”
In the post, Sondra Williams said Trenton Jr. had been diagnosed with trisomy 13, also known as Patau syndrome. According to the National Institutes of Health, trisomy 13 is “a type of chromosomal disorder characterized by having three copies of chromosome 13 in the body’s cells, instead of the usual two.”
Trisomy 13 causes “severe intellectual disability and many physical abnormalities” and the Cleveland Clinic states that the symptoms of trisomy 13 are “life-threatening, with many cases resulting in miscarriage or death of the baby before the baby’s first birthday.”
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday afternoon that Trent Williams, who missed the last two games with a left ankle injury, spent much of last week grieving the loss of his son.
“It’s something that happened last week and he was there at the hospital with her and she was able to meet him and say goodbye,” Shanahan said. “And then he had to be cremated on Friday. He’s been dealing with it and he’s working on it. We’re all trying to be here for him through all of this.”
Williams is the second 49er known to be dealing with the loss of a child this season. Cornerback Charvarius Ward announced on Oct. 29 that his 1-year-old daughter, Amani Joy, had died after dealing with heart issues. Ward missed the next three games after the Niners returned from the break, but played in his first game since his daughter’s death against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.
During his conference call Monday, Shanahan was a little choked up talking about what Williams is going through, but noted that the Niners will do everything they can to make sure Williams and his family have what they need while they grieve, just as they they did during their mourning. Ward and his family.
“It’s tough as a coach,” Shanahan said. “It’s difficult as a friend, it’s difficult as a family member. It’s difficult for everyone. But we spend a lot of time together. That’s the good thing about a football team. Whatever happens, good or bad, we spend it together.
“You can never escape that total pain, but I think it’s good for those guys to have another avenue to get out on the football field, to surround themselves with teammates and things like that.”
