Bills offer limitless support to Ed Oliver following 'unthinkable tragedy'

Oliver has since returned to pre-season training and played in the team's 29-14 practice win over Carolina Panthers before sitting out this weekend's 31-7 victory over Cleveland Browns with an undisclosed injury. 

His son was found unresponsive in a residential pool north of Houston on the day of 28 June, with the the Harris County Sheriff’s Department noting the tragedy without identifying Oliver for his family. 

The 28-year-old is beginning his eighth season with the Bills after being selected as pick number nine in the 2019 NFL draft. 

He played just three matches in 2025, laying three sacks and 12 combined tackles before a biceps injury brought his campaign to a premature end. 

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane paid tribute to Oliver and his late son prior to the weekend pre-season game against the Browns.

“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 grieve this tragic loss."

Quarterback Josh Allen vowed that the players will "love up on" the grieving father. 

"There's nothing that you can say to make the situation better except being there for Ed in whatever way he needs," Allen said.

"We want to rally around him to let him know that we have his back and we're here for him.

"The way that he has dealt with it has been unbelievable."

The Bills are away to Houston Texans for their Round 1 match on September 13.

Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.