Entertainment
Former NFL Star Dies At 53
Former NFL defensive lineman Oliver Gibson, who played six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals at the turn of the 21st century, has died.
He was 53.
Gibson played a total of nine seasons in the NFL, beginning in 1995 when he was selected in the 4th round of the NFL Draft and signed with the Steelers. Mark Bruener, Kordell Stewart and Brenden Stai were other future stars who signed alongside him that year.
He went on to play four seasons in Pittsburgh followed by five more in Cincinnati.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Oliver Gibson. We send our condolences to his family and friends,” Notre Dame, his alma mater,B said in a statement on Monday.
Between 1995 and 2003, Gibson recorded 17.5 sacks along with 243 combined tackles across 133 games. His arrival came in 1996 when he tallied 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while recording sacks in back-to-back weeks against the Bengals and Houston Oilers. He notched a half-sack a week later against St. Louis, according to the Steelers.
Another standout season for Gibson came in 1999 when he played all 16 games for the Bengals, collecting 4.5 sacks with 41 tackles that season.
He recorded three tackles in the playoffs that year, including two in the divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.
Former Bengals star Chad Ochocinco paid tribute to his former teammate with a simple condolences message.
Born March 15, 1972, Gibson played high school football in his hometown of Romeo, Illinois. He was named Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today.
Nearly 10 years after hanging up his cleats, the former Notre Dame standout returned to the university as head football coach, Fox News reports. He also served as an assistant basketball coach during that time.
Despite departing Pittsburgh following the 1998 season, he left his heart there.
“Pittsburgh is the only team I watch. I have fond memories of Cincinnati, had a lot of fun. But there is something magic about the Steelers,” Gibson said in a 1011 interview.
“If I have an autograph session and I have pictures from Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, nobody wants the Cincinnati picture and I started more for them. They want the Steelers picture. I always watch the Steelers.”
He joked about appreciating the small-town mentality of Pittsburgh.
“You get a sack in Pittsburgh they talk about you at the Giant Eagle the next,” he laughed.
CBS sportscaster Tom Lemming reacted to news of Gibson’s death by sharing memories of his time covering the rising star, as well as a photograph from his youth.
“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,” he wrote.

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