The Buffalo Bills confirmed Saturday that defensive tackle Ed Oliver’s 2-year-old son has died, marking a devastating personal loss for the player and his family.
Brandon Beane, the Bills’ general manager, released a statement expressing the team’s condolences and support for Oliver, who is entering his eighth NFL season with the franchise. The statement did not disclose the cause of death but described the loss as an "unthinkable tragedy."
Oliver has requested privacy and prayers during this difficult time, according to team and league sources. He did not travel with the Bills for their preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday and has been dealing with an unspecified injury that has caused him to miss recent practices.
The child was found unresponsive in a residential swimming pool in Harris County, Texas, on June 28, according to multiple reports. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed at the time that deputies responded to a drowning incident at an address in the 500 block of Lago Trace Drive in Huffman, Texas, and transported the toddler to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The sheriff’s office did not identify the victim at the time of the incident. The Houston Chronicle reported on the drowning in Huffman but did not name the child. ESPN later reported that the child’s name was Ed Oliver, matching the player’s son.
Oliver, 28, is a first-round draft pick from the University of Houston who has been a key defensive player for the Bills since joining the team in 2019. He has recorded 30 career sacks and is known for his contributions to the team’s run defense. The Bills have not provided further details about the incident or the family’s plans moving forward.
The team’s statement emphasized ongoing support for Oliver and his family as they navigate their grief. The Bills organization has not disclosed whether Oliver will participate in upcoming practices or games as he copes with the loss.