With the NFL season coming up and all the crazy moments that fans got to see during the offseason, excitement is at an all-time high. But this offseason has also had its fair share of sad moments off the field.
The human side of football is sometimes a forgotten aspect, but here and there, everybody is reminded of it. Today is one of those days, with the news that Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver’s son passed away earlier this Summer.
The NFL World Sends Its Support to Ed Oliver During This Extremely Difficult TimeOliver, who was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, has only played for the Bills in Buffalo and has become one of the more consistent players on defense. After missing most of last season with injuries, 2026 was going to be a bounce-back year.
Recently, it was announced that Oliver was dealing with an injury and is out for now, but with the news of his tragic loss, that could also have been the reason for his absence.
Bills General Manager Brandon Beane released a statementwhich read, “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. It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.”
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With this news being released, the NFL World had its heartfelt reactions:
NFL reporter Albert Breer sent his condolences to Oliver’s familyand wrote, “No parent should have to bury a child. Deepest sympathy and prayers to the Oliver family.”
One account simply stated, “RIP. That’s horrible.”
NFL Insider James Palmer also expressed the emotional pain of the situation: “Absolutely devastating.”
One Buffalo account sent their prayers to the Oliver family, “Pray for Ed Oliver and his family #BillsMafia”
Madden content creator Zirksee was shocked by the devastating news and said, “Wow, sad news man. Hope for the best for Ed and his family.”
Another Buffalo-based account showed their support for Oliver and his family by writing, “Heartfelt condolences”.
The Phinsider simply reacted, “Oh damn.”
One account emotionally expressed their hope that the Oliver family can come through this devastating tragedy.
The account said, “My Lord. I’m so sorry Ed Oliver. So, so incredibly sorry for your devastating loss and for it all to come out the way it did. Thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family, always”
Another Bills fan explained how impossible it is to define the emotions this tragedy brings and wrote, “No words can capture the feeling here. My deepest condolences to the family.”
As many of the messages above state, support for the Oliver family is needed at this time, and the recovery journey will be long for everyone involved.
Hopefully, that recovery happens, and Oliver can get back on the field soon.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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