The cause of death has been revealed for Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver’s 2-year-old son, who drowned in a swimming pool at the NFL star’s Texas home.
Ed Oliver, 28, and his wife found their toddler unresponsive in their pool on June 28 at their residence in Harris County, Texas Sports. First responders arrived after receiving a life-in-danger call and were told upon arrival that the parents had discovered their son in the water. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at 7:18 p.m. That evening.
Oliver was reportedly seen speaking with officials outside his home before breaking down into tears, reports said. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook that evening about the drowning of a toddler in a neighborhood community north of Houston, without providing names or ages. “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.
News of the child’s death initially broke Saturday morning, with ESPN and NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe reporting that a source close to Oliver said he is asking for “privacy and prayers at this very difficult time.”
Bills general manager Brandon Beane issued a statement on behalf of the organization. “On behalf of the entire Buffalo Bills organization, we want to publicly express our condolences to Ed Oliver and his family on the devastating loss of his son,” Beane said. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.”
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, 28, spoke about Oliver following Saturday’s 31-7 preseason win over the Browns, revealing that many teammates had only learned of the tragedy on Friday. “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,” Allen said. “There’s nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there in whatever ways he needs.”
Allen continued, “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.”
First-year Bills coach Joe Brady said Oliver missed Thursday’s joint practice with the Browns because of an unspecified injury. Oliver had reported to Bills training camp on July 28 and had been participating regularly in practices despite grieving throughout the camp.
The Montgomery County medical examiner’s report attached to Oliver’s name lists the death as accidental, reports said. There is an ongoing investigation into what exactly occurred, but seemingly nothing has been resolved, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. A sheriff’s official said on Saturday that a report was not immediately available.
In the viral moment that preceded the public revelation, Harris County officials had posted their brief notice on social media on June 28, and the tragedy remained private for nearly two months before details emerged publicly. Oliver, who was drafted by the Bills with the No. 9 pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, has become a staple of Buffalo’s defense as he enters his seventh NFL season. The Houston native played college football at the University of Houston before being selected by Buffalo.
The Bills face the Pittsburgh Steelers in their next preseason game at home in Orchard Park, New York.