Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver mourns son after Houston tragedy
The Bills organisation has confirmed that defensive tackle Ed Oliver is grieving the death of his two-year-old son, who was found unresponsive in a swimming pool outside Houston in late June.
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver is mourning the death of his two-year-old son, who was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a residence outside Houston on 28 June. The child, who was also named Ed, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:18 p.m. The incident has prompted a formal response from the Bills organisation, which acknowledged the tragedy in a statement released on Saturday.
According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to an in-progress life-in-danger call on the day of the incident. Upon arrival, officials were informed that the child's parents had found him unresponsive in the pool. While the sheriff's office has not yet named Oliver or his family in official reports, the Bills confirmed that they had been aware of the incident since it occurred and were in alignment with Oliver regarding the timing of the public announcement.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane expressed the organisation's condolences, describing the event as an "unthinkable tragedy for any parent." Beane stated that the team would continue to support Oliver and his family as they grieve. The family has requested privacy and prayers during this difficult period, a request the Bills have respected in their public communications.
Despite the personal loss, Oliver has continued to participate in team activities throughout training camp. He was absent from the Bills' recent preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, a decision attributed to a minor injury and the team's broader strategy of resting most veteran starters for the early part of the season.
Oliver, 28, has spent his entire professional career with the Bills organisation after being drafted ninth overall by Houston in 2019. The defensive tackle also has a daughter named Ava. The specific cause of death has not been officially confirmed beyond the hospital pronouncement, and the sheriff's office has not responded to recent requests for an update on the ongoing investigation.
