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Newsstand: Former Notre Dame DL Oliver Gibson passes away at 53

Singer headshotby:Mike Singer•07/01/25•

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(Mike Singer/On3)

On Sunday, the family of former Notre Dame and NFL defensive lineman Oliver Gibson shared that he had passed away. The cause of his death is unknown. He was 53 years old.

He was a fourth-round pick in the 1995 draft by Pittsburgh and played for the Steelers until 1998. He later spent five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (1999-2003) before finishing his career with the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004 on their respective practice squads.

During his professional career, Gibson had 243 tackles (37 for loss) and 17.5 sacks.

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

Gibson was part of Notre Dame’s incredible 1990 recruiting class that featured Bryant Young, Kevin McDougal, Jerome Bettis Sr., Aaron Taylor and Jeff Burris.

After retiring from the league, Gibson shifted to coaching at his alma mater, Romeoville High School, where he became head football coach and also assisted with the basketball program.

“Devastated to hear of the passing of one of my favorite Chicago area players Oliver Gibson,” Prep football report analyst Tom Lemming wrote on Twitter. “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 (see post below). RIP.”

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“When I visited Notre Dame, it felt like home. The coaching staff expressed how they would love to use me, and how I will fit in the system. The prestige of this program and the ability to compete in a national championship during my 3-to-5 years here — I know I can develop as a player and a person at Notre Dame.”

— 2027 linebacker Ellis McGaskin on his decision to commit to the Fighting Irish

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