Former Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin
sent a message to Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver
after a tragic loss in the latter's family. Irvin was reminded of a terrifying incident involving his own son.
"Prayers out to my brother @Edoliver_11," Irvin wrote on his social media
. "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,"
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Irvin's post came after the Buffalo Bills
confirmed that Oliver's 2-year-old son had died.
"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 all grieve this tragic loss."
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The tragedy occurred on June 28, when authorities responded to a report of a toddler found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a home in Harris County, Texas. The child was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The team knew about the loss but honored Ed Oliver's privacy by keeping the news to themselves. But the information got out to the media on Friday.
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Oliver, 28, and his family has asked for privacy and prayers during this time. He did not travel with the team for Buffalo's preseason game against the Cleveland Browns
this past weekend, and he had already been held out of practice reps in the days leading up to it due to an unknown injury. He did, however, appear in the Carolina Panthers
game and reported to training camp on time.
Irvin spent much of his NFL career with Seattle after the Seahawks selected him No. 15 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was part of the team that won Super Bowl XLVIII and made multiple stops around the league before finishing his career with several later stints, including a return to Seattle.
His comment reflects a bond that exists among current and former players who've faced similarly frightening moments with their own children, even when outcomes turn out very differently. Irvin has three kids, all boys.
"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," Josh Allen said
. "What we've been doing is giving him his space and time, but at the same time being around him, loving up on him," Allen said. "But not trying to do anything to reopen that. … Just guys being around him and putting their hand on him and not having to say too much, but 'I got your back.'"
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The support coming in from around the league right now, including Irvin's message, is what this sport looks like when it shows up for one of its own during something far bigger than football.
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The post "Brought Him Back to Life": Seahawks Legend Recalls Near-Tragic Incident With 2-YO Son After Ed Oliver's Heartbreaking Loss
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