Buffalo Bills rally around Ed Oliver after death of his two-year-old son

The family is asking for privacy and prayers after the child reportedly died earlier this summer.

The Buffalo Bills are standing behind defensive tackle Ed Oliver following the death of his two-year-old son, Ed Jr., in a tragedy that has deeply affected the NFL player and his family.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane addressed the loss Saturday ahead of the team’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, offering condolences while emphasizing the organization’s continued support for Oliver.

Oliver’s toddler was found unresponsive in a residential pool in the Houston area on June 28, according to information reported by The Guardian. Authorities pronounced the child dead after the incident. The Harris County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a toddler had drowned in a neighborhood community north of Houston and said the investigation remained ongoing.

Oliver, who is from the Houston area, has asked for privacy and prayers as he grieves the loss of his son.

The tragedy comes as he prepares for his eighth season with Buffalo. The 28-year-old was selected ninth overall by the Bills in the 2019 NFL Draft after starring at the University of Houston and has since become an important part of the team’s defensive front. Despite the devastating loss, Oliver reported to training camp as scheduled last month. He also appeared with Buffalo’s starters during the team’s preseason opener, a 29-14 victory over Carolina.

He has not practiced during the current week because of an undisclosed injury, according to the Bills. The circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death remain under investigation, and authorities have not publicly released additional details about the incident.

For Ed Oliver and his family, however, the focus is now on grieving and healing. The Bills’ public show of support reflects the reality that, behind the pressures of professional sports, athletes navigate deeply personal moments away from the field.