NEED TO KNOW

• Ed Oliver is speaking out

• The Buffalo Bills defensive tackle told reporters that he is grateful for the support of his teammates after the death of his 2-year-old son

• Ed Oliver III died on June 28 after drowning in the family’s Houston-area swimming pool

Ed Oliver is thanking his Buffalo Bills teammates for their support in the wake of the death of his 2-year-old son.

The defensive tackle returned to action on Sunday, Nov. 1, during the team’s 36-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens, after weeks of injuries and four months after the death of his son Ed Oliver III, who drowned in the family’s Houston-area swimming pool on June 28.

Now, he’s sharing how his teammates have helped him through the past weeks of adversity.

“I think a lot of them don’t know it, but man, some days I don’t be feeling too high, I come in that D-Line room, and you got guys like Zane Durant that just put a smile on my face,” Oliver, 28, told reporters. “Dion [Walker] and TJ [Sanders] and the different personalities in the D-Line room, they really lift my spirits when sometimes I’m not really all the way there.”

“They’re just a joy to be around, and they don’t know how much they mean to me and I can’t thank them enough for just being around not making me feel awkward and let me do my thing, they do their thing and that don’t change just because of what I’ve got going on in my life,” Oliver continued. “And I couldn’t thank them enough for just being who they are.”

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Oliver was listed as inactive before the home opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 17 after he suffered a hip injury minutes before the game. During Week 4 against the New England Patriots, he suffered a knee injury and missed games against the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders.  

Shortly after the death of Oliver’s son was announced, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was among those who spoke out in support of the beloved player.

“As a teammate of his and as someone in this locker room, all we can do is love on him,” Allen, 30, said, according to an X post from journalist Andy Young.

“There’s nothing you can say to make the situation any better, except being there for him in whatever ways he needs,” Allen continued. “And that’s what we’re going to continue to do. That’s what teammates do. We love upon each other and try to hold each other up when we’re down.”

“I can’t imagine what he’s going through. But the way he’s dealt with it, it’s been unbelievable,” Allen added. 

The Bills’ next game is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, against the Minnesota Vikings.

Read the original article on People