A former NFL defensive star has passed away, leaving fans, former teammates, and his community in shock. Oliver Gibson, who spent nearly a decade playing in the league, has died at the age of 53. His family and the University of Notre Dame confirmed the news on Monday.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Oliver Gibson. We send our condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/Saz7l8Xwnq
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) June 30, 2025
Gibson’s death comes as a surprise to many who remember him not only for his size and strength on the field, but also for his leadership off of it. He played nine seasons in the NFL after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1995 draft. That same class included names like Kordell Stewart and Mark Bruener—players who helped shape an era for the team.
Gibson’s NFL career was split between two cities. He spent his first four seasons with the Steelers before moving on to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played another five years. In total, he appeared in 133 games, racked up 17.5 sacks, and made 243 combined tackles. His best statistical season came in 1999 when he logged 41 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 16 games for Cincinnati.
But Gibson’s legacy didn’t start or end in the NFL.
Before his pro career, he starred at Notre Dame, where he was a key piece of the Fighting Irish defense. And even before that, he was already making headlines. While playing high school football in Romeoville, Illinois, Gibson was named USA Today’s High School Defensive Player of the Year—one of the top honors for a high school athlete.
In 2014, long after hanging up his cleats, Gibson returned to his roots. He became the head football coach at his high school alma mater, taking on the challenge of mentoring young players. According to reports, he also helped coach the school’s basketball team. Those who knew him said coaching was more than a job to him—it was a way to give back.
RHS football is saddened by the passing of RHS legend on the field and former Head Football Coach Oliver Gibson. RIP, keep former Spartan @ZQGUNO4 and the rest of the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/QJyFCfFLEw
— Romeoville Spartan Football (@RhsSpartanfball) July 1, 2025
His sudden passing has led to an outpouring of messages online. Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, better known as Chad OchoCinco, was among the first to share his condolences publicly. Other tributes quickly followed from fans and players who remembered Gibson’s impact both on and off the field.
Losing our brother Oliver Gibson is 💔. OG exemplified, “Teammates are forever!” He always stayed in touched, made sure guys were alright & consistently scheduled reunions. Our thoughts & prayers are with the Gibson family. OG will never be forgotten, he impacted so many of us.🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/4ECpbxlp9b
— Holtz’s Heroes Foundation (@HoltzHeroes) June 29, 2025
Notre Dame released a brief but heartfelt statement: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Oliver Gibson. We send our condolences to his family and friends.” As of now, no cause of death has been released, and the family has not shared additional details.
Gibson’s career was one of quiet consistency. He wasn’t always the biggest name on the roster, but he was often one of the most dependable. His work in the trenches helped anchor defenses, and his commitment to the community stood out long after his playing days ended.
Still, questions remain.
What happened to Oliver Gibson at just 53 years old? And what will those closest to him share in the coming days about the man behind the helmet?
