Former NFL Veteran Dead Suddenly At 53
The football world lost yet another former defensive lineman in the span of several days.
Last week saw the passing of former All-Pro defensive end Gerry Philbin, who died at 83 and enjoyed prolific career as a member of the New York Jets from 1964-1972— and now a more recent D-lineman has also transitioned.
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Over the weekend, ex-Steelers/Bengals DT Oliver Gibson reportedly passed away at the age of 53.
Gibson spent nine seasons in the NFL as a former fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame and was one of the more underrated pieces to those menacing "Blitzburgh" defenses of the '90s.
The Romeoville, IL native was named USA Today's High School Defensive Player of the Year and a Parade Magazine All-American back in 1989 before parlaying that into a scholarship to South Bend and a near-decade long professional career.
After his playing days, Gibson returned to his hometown where he took the head coaching job Romeoville High School starting in 2015.
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Gibson appeared in 133 games with 57 starts across his nine years in the National Football League where he recorded 243 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 37 tackles for loss and batted down 10 passes.
The 304-pound defensive tackle was also a part of Pittsburgh's 1995 Super Bowl team as a rookie, an accomplishment he relayed to the youth from his home area when he arrived back at Romeoville.
Jan 23, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle (98) Oliver Gibson during media day of Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Imagn Images © Copyright Imagn Images© RVR Photos-Imagn Images
'When I talk to the kids, I tell them that everything that they've been through, I've been through. And everywhere that you want to go from Romeoville, you can do it," Gibson said at the time.
May he rest in peace.
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Related: Taylor Fritz's Girlfriend Turning Heads At Wimbledon Monday
Former NFL Veteran Dead Suddenly At 53 first appeared on The Spun on Jul 1, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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