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Dalton Risner and his wife, Whitney, expected last week to be filled with birthday celebrations. Instead, it became one of the most difficult weeks of their lives.
Just days after sharing the heartbreaking news that they had lost their baby boy at 16 weeks of pregnancy, Whitney posted a quiet birthday tribute for the Cincinnati Bengals guard, showing how much the day still meant despite everything they were going through.
“We canceled all of our plans as soon as we found out, and even though we didn’t feel like leaving the house, I still wanted to make sure he knows his birthday is my favorite day of the year,” Whitney wrote on Instagram on July 21.
In the video posted on Instagram, Whitney recorded herself doing birthday decorations for her husband as the couple goes through “the hardest week” of their lives. Risner celebrated his 31st birthday on July 13, but the video wasn’t shared until later. The timing made sense after the couple revealed what had happened.
On July 18, Whitney announced that she and Dalton had lost their baby boy, describing it as their second pregnancy loss in just a few months, according to People.
“At 16 weeks, Dalton and I found out we lost our sweet baby boy. I wish I was writing any other post than this right now. I never imagined our journey to starting a family would begin like this,” Whitney wrote on Instagram.
The couple had announced the pregnancy in June, sharing their excitement about becoming parents for the first time.
The couple, who married in June 2022, had shared their excitement about becoming parents only weeks before the loss.
Even in the middle of grief, Whitney made sure Dalton’s birthday did not pass unnoticed, offering a quiet reminder of the strength they continue to find in each other during an incredibly difficult time.
The couple went through the loss as Risner steps into a crucial time professionally.
Dalton Risner signed up for a second stint with Cincinnati
Dalton joined the Bengals in 2025 after spending time with the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a new one-year deal worth up to $5 million with Cincinnati earlier this year.
During his first Bengals campaign, he played in 14 games while starting 11, with nine starts coming at right guard, including the team’s final seven games. He decided to return to Cincinnati for the second season.
The front office viewed him as an ideal fit almost immediately, thanks to the way he blended into the locker room. From there, it was simply a matter of finalizing the contract.
“He came in late to the process and really fit in,” director of player personnel Duke Tobin said as posted by Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube in February. “I thought it ended up being a great fit for him in how we play, and he became a great fit for us and came in and filled the need for us.
As Risner goes to prove himself for the second season in Cincinnati, will the personal loss make it difficult for him? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at Cincinnati Bengals Community.
