Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

‘We are deeply saddened’: Former Steelers draft pick dies

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 4:54 PM ET

A former Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick who went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals died in June. The cause of death was not revealed.

Per a post on Facebook by the family, Oliver Gibson died.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers DT Oliver Gibson died

Gibson, a native of Romeoville, Illinois, played college football for Notre Dame before the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 1995 draft. He played with Pittsburgh for four seasons before joining the Bengals in 1999.

Gibson has stops with the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gibson played in 133 games and started in 57 games. He recorded 243 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 37 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed, and one interception.

In 1989, Gibson was named USA Today’s High School Defensive Player of the Year for his performance on the Romeoville High School team.

The NFL world remembers Gibson

Text: 1999.1212.10.1–BENGALS–digital image–Kimo von Oelhoffen of the Bengals celebrates after the Browns fumbled in the 2nd quarter at Cinergy Field Sunday. Oliver Gibson is left. Photo by Craig Ruttle/Cincinnati Enquirer

Friends, fans, and other people around the football community remembered Gibson following news of the former player’s death.

“Devastated to hear of the passing of one of my favorite Chicago area players Oliver Gibson. 1989 USA Today DPOY. Romeoville HS, IL, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. Wonderful young man, team leader with a great personality. Oliver is on the left. RIP,” wrote Tom Lemming.

Devastated to hear of the passing of one of my favorite Chicago area players Oliver Gibson. 1989 USA today DPOY. Romeoville HS, IL, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. Wonderful young man, team leader with a great personality. Oliver is on the left. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3pQ5DtqioE
— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) June 30, 2025

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Oliver Gibson. We send our condolences to his family and friends,” posted Notre Dame.

“R.I.P Oliver Gibson 'OG,'” wrote Chad Johnson.

Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of the helmet worn by Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) (not pictured) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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