Buffalo Bills Player Ed Oliver Mourns Death of His 2-Year-Old Son

Buffalo Bills player Ed Oliver’s 2-year-old son has died. TMZ, ESPN and other outlets reported that the toddler died after he was found unresponsive in a swimming pool in Houston on June 28.

Grant Halverson/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Buffalo Bills player Ed Oliver’s 2-year-old son has died

TMZ, ESPN and other outlets reported that the toddler died after he was found unresponsive in a swimming pool in Houston on June 28

“It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss,” Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said in a statement shared on Saturday, Aug. 22

Buffalo Bills player Ed Oliver is mourning the loss of his 2-year-old son.

Reports from outlets including TMZ, ESPN, the Buffalo News and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle state that Oliver’s son, also named Ed, died in June after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a home outside Houston, Oliver’s hometown.

The outlets cited a June 28 report from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, which stated that a toddler had been found unresponsive in a pool that evening. The child was rushed to a local hospital just after 7:15 p.m. local time and later pronounced dead.

The New York Times reported that a Montgomery County medical examiner’s report attached to Oliver’s name lists the death as an accidental drowning.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further information.

Grant Halverson/Getty

Bills General Manager Brandon Beane addressed the tragedy in a statement shared on social media on Saturday, Aug. 22.

“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 wrote. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.”

Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE’s free sports newsletter — sign up now!

ESPN reported on Saturday that the Bills organization has been aware of the June incident since it occurred, and Oliver has participated in team activities throughout training camp.

Oliver’s family is asking for “privacy and prayers at this very difficult time,” ESPN added, citing a source close to the athlete.

Oliver was selected ninth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and has spent his entire professional career with the Buffalo Bills. He attended the University of Houston from 2016 to 2018, before announcing that he intended to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the draft.

Oliver is also father to a daughter, named Ava.

Entertainment

Sports

Football