Former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson mournfully announced that his first-born daughter, Maia, had tragically passed away at the age of 25, via Twitter.

“It is with incredible sadness that I have to share the news about the passing of my beautiful Daughter Maia.” Johnson said in his heartwarming tribute to his daughter on Twitter. “Maia, as my first born child, has been the joy of my, and her Mother Shikiri’s, life.”

The former no. 1 overall pick did not reveal the reason for Maia's passing but concluded his message asking for privacy and thanking fans and followers for their support in this devastating time.

Johnson now works for ESPN as an analyst and his current employer sent their thoughts and well wishes to the 48-year old and the rest of his family.

Keyshawn Johnson and his ex-wife, Shikiri Hightower, welcomed Maia into their lives even before the NFL star began his illustrious football career. Johnson also has four other children: Keyshawn Jr., London, and Vance. Keyshawn Jr. is also his child with Shikiri, who was Johnson's wife from 1998 to 2002. London and Vance, meanwhile, are Johnson's daughters with his second wife, Jennifer.

Johnson was drafted first overall in 1996 by the New York Jets after playing two standout seasons in USC. He won a Super Bowl championship in 2003 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played for four seasons.

Johnson made three Pro Bowls in his career, two with the Jets in 1998 and 1999, and once with the Bucs in 2001. After playing a couple of seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, eventually finished his 11-year with the Carolina Panthers.