Members of the Buffalo Bills have expressed their condolences to Ed Oliver after the death of his two-year-old son.
“Obviously, very unfortunate what happened and as a teammate of him, as someone in this locker room, all we can do is love on him,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said after Saturday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. “There’s nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there in whatever ways he needs. That’s what we’re going to continue to do. That’s what teammates do. You love up on each other when we’re down, and I can’t imagine what he’s going through. But the way that he’s dealt with it has been unbelievable.”
Bills general manager Brandon Beane expressed his condolences on behalf of the organization. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we grieve this tragic loss,” said Beane.
Oliver, a defensive tackle, has asked for privacy and prayers while mourning his son, Ed Jr. The toddler was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in a residential pool outside Houston, Oliver’s hometown, on 28 June.
Without providing details including names or ages, the Harris County Sheriff’s Department posted a note on its Facebook account that evening about the drowning of a toddler in a neighborhood community north of Houston. “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the toddler’s family during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation is ongoing,” the post read.
The 28-year-old Oliver is entering his eighth season in Buffalo and was selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Houston.
Oliver reported for training camp on time last month and appeared with the starters in the Bills’ preseason-opening 29-14 win over Carolina last weekend. He has not practiced this week because of an undisclosed injury.
