Pittsburgh, PA – June 30, 2025
A quiet pillar of Steelers history has left us — and the franchise is feeling that silence today.
One of the toughest men to ever line up in the trenches for Pittsburgh has passed away at age 53. He wasn’t the loudest voice in the room or the face on magazine covers. But to those who played beside him — and to every opponent who lined up across from him — he was unforgettable.
He played four rugged seasons in black and gold during the mid-1990s, earning respect the hard way: through grit, sacrifice, and unshakable reliability. Though rarely in the spotlight, his presence on the defensive line was a steady force for the franchise. Over 60 games in Pittsburgh, he recorded 5.5 sacks and made his mark in the heart of the AFC Central.
That player was Oliver Gibson, a 1995 fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame. After leaving Pittsburgh, he found a larger role with the division-rival Bengals, starting 57 games and adding 12 more sacks to his name. He closed out his NFL journey with short stops in Buffalo and Tampa Bay before retiring in 2004.
Gibson didn’t walk away from the game — he carried it with him. Back in Romeoville, Illinois, he returned to his roots, coaching football and basketball at his former high school, pouring decades of wisdom into the next generation.
Tributes poured in across the league after news of his passing. Former teammates, Bengals star Chad Johnson, and legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz all spoke of Gibson’s rare humility and powerful legacy.
“Oliver never chased the spotlight — but when it found him, he always rose to the moment,” one former teammate shared.
He may not have a statue outside Acrisure Stadium, but for those who remember the grind of 90s Steelers football, his legacy is written in every yard earned, every helmet cracked, and every young player he mentored long after the lights went out.
Rest in peace, #99. You’ll never be forgotten in Pittsburgh.
