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On June 28, 2026, the 2-year-old son of Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver was found unresponsive in a swimming pool in Huffman, Texas. Emergency responders transported the child to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The family’s identity remained private for nearly eight weeks. On August 22, 2026, reports identified the child as Ed Oliver III, bringing the devastating news into the public spotlight. The Buffalo Bills publicly expressed their condolences, with general manager Brandon Beane acknowledging the family’s loss. The Oliver family has asked for privacy and prayers during this difficult time. While the tragedy prompted an outpouring of support from across the football community, among those to speak out was former Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin, who revealed his own 2-year-old son nearly drowned in 2024. Bruce Irvin Opens Up About His Own Near-Tragedy For Bruce Irvin, the news carried an especially personal weight. The former Seahawks linebacker was reminded of a terrifying experience involving his own 2-year-old son, who survived a near-drowning incident in 2024. He spoke out, writing: “My 2-year-old baby boy had a near-drowning in 2024. Thankfully, I grabbed him and brought him back to life, and he is thriving now! Prayers up, my brother, for you and your family! S*** is tough.” Unlike Oliver, Irvin was able to intervene in time but the fear behind his words made clear how close his own story came to a different ending. That proximity to grief is what made Irvin’s response stand out amid the wider wave of condolences. Where others offered support from the outside, Irvin spoke from experience as someone who had held his son’s life in his hands and understood, in a way few others could, what Oliver was now facing. NFL Community Rallies Around Ed Oliver Following the tragedy, messages of support began pouring in from within the Buffalo Bills organization. Teammate Josh Allen said: “How it came out makes me very, very sad and angry at the same time. Obviously, very unfortunate what happened, and as a teammate of him, and as someone in this locker room, all we can do is love on him.” Bills general manager Brandon Beane was among the first to publicly address the tragedy. He described the loss as something no parent should ever have to experience and assured Oliver and his family of the organization’s support. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent,” Beane said in an official statement. Bills head coach Joe Brady also addressed Oliver’s loss, emphasizing his responsibility to support his player during an unimaginable time. “As a coach, as a father, it’s my job to be what he needs from me right now,” Brady told reporters. As the football community continues to rally around Oliver and his family, the message is ultimately one of empathy and prayers. In a moment that no parent should ever have to endure, standing beside a grieving family may be the most meaningful way to offer strength when words are simply not enough. More NFL News: - ‘A.J.! A.J.! A.J.!’ — A.J. Brown Puts on a Show Against Former Eagles as Patriots Fans Chant His Name - Kansas City Chiefs: Reunite With Member of 2020 Super Bowl Team - ‘The Maturity’ — Mike Vrabel Makes Strong Statement on A.J. Brown’s Leadership With Patriots - A.J. Brown Breaks His Silence on Jalen Hurts After Facing Eagles in Patriots Joint Practice