CLEVELAND (AP) 鈥� The Buffalo Bills are giving defensive tackle Ed Oliver support and space following the accidental death of his 1-year-old son.
Oliver has been grieving throughout training camp and many of his teammates only learned of the tragic accident on Friday. Following Saturday’s , Bills quarterback Josh Allen said the team is standing with Oliver.
鈥淥bviously, very unfortunate what happened and as a teammate of him, as someone in this locker room, all we can do is love on him,鈥� Allen said. “There鈥檚 nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there in whatever ways he needs.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we鈥檙e going to continue to do. That鈥檚 what teammates do. You love up on each other when we鈥檙e down, and I can鈥檛 imagine what he鈥檚 going through. But the way that he鈥檚 dealt with it has been unbelievable.鈥�
Oliver has asked for privacy and prayers while still mourning his son, who was also named Ed. The toddler was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in a residential pool in Harris County, Texas, on June 28, a person briefed on what happened told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team and player have not revealed that information.
Without providing many details including names or ages, the Harris County Sheriff鈥檚 department posted a that evening regarding the drowning of a toddler in a neighborhood community north of Houston.
鈥淭his is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the toddler鈥檚 family during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation is ongoing,鈥� the post read.
A sheriff鈥檚 official told The Associated Press on Saturday that a report was not immediately available.
Before Saturday’s game, general manager Brandon Beane issued a statement expressing his and the organization鈥檚 condolences.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we grieve this tragic loss,鈥� .
Bills first-year coach Joe Brady was equally compassionate toward Oliver, who is in his eighth season with Buffalo.
鈥淓ver since I found out the news, I can鈥檛 fathom what he鈥檚 going through,” Brady said. “As a coach and a father, there really aren鈥檛 words to describe it. It鈥檚 all about us loving him and giving him the privacy that he deserves.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard when I see him. I don鈥檛 have the words, but all I can do is support him in whatever way he needs.鈥�
The 28-year-old Oliver 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.
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This story has been corrected. A previous version, relying on information provided at the time by police in Harris County, Texas, reported that Oliver’s son was 2 years old when he died. Police subsequently reported that the boy was 1 year old.
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Wawrow reported from Buffalo, New York.
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