The preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns Saturday got attention for reasons other than the actual contest — a Bills blowout on Lake Erie — for an unspeakable tragedy and how the information got out, and the post-game reaction of the quarterback to an unfavorable crowd reaction.
Condolences to Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver and his family after it was learned his young son, by the same name, was found unresponsive by family members in a swimming pool at a home in the Houston area owned by Oliver.
The boy was pronounced deceased after being taken to a hospital. On Monday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office closed the case with no criminal charges. Still, I can’t imagine the grief Oliver and his family are going through.
The organization had been aware of the tragedy since it happened. Some members of the media also knew about this and, to their credit, kept it quiet. Unfortunately, there were details revealed before Saturday’s game by a “reporter wannabe” on the X (Twitter) platform, who, needless to say, received justified criticism and scorn for revealing such a tragic event.
There are those that need their attention or get their name out there for personal gain, but, even in today’s, at times, toxic social climate, there are those that have ethics and compassion and understanding for their fellow human beings.
Breaking news on a family’s heartache isn’t the way to do it!
Not so elementary, my dear Watson
Needless to say, it’s been a difficult time for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. With various injuries, and a lengthy suspension from his off-the-field issues with massage therapists, the former National Champion at Clemson and rising star with the Houston Texans has not come anywhere near his former form.
Nineteen games in three years with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Not exactly great production for the $230 million fully guaranteed contract Cleveland lavished upon him, and also three first-round picks that went to Houston.
After a 5-for-12 performance for 36 yards and an interception in his first home game since 2024, Cleveland fans rang the chorus with boos.
Watson said “I think the whole world knows. It has nothing to do with the performance. It’s a little bit more personal than that. I think that’s a disrespectful thing.”
Watson added “Last time I played on this field (Oct. 2024), I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt.” Honestly, what was he expecting? Pent up frustration, plus a title drought north of 60 years has fans of this once great franchise quite agitated.
To his credit, Watson addressed the issue Monday, when he was named the starting quarterback.
“My comments wasn’t intending to go at any of the fans around in the city, because there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me. And I know the frustration. This organization has put a lot of investment in coming to get me back in ‘22, and things haven’t been going the right direction that we thought it was.”
By the way, there was NO competition with Watson and Shedeur Sanders. With Watson’s onerous cap charge, there was no choice to go with him in 2026.
Back to school
Dae’Quan Wright was a teammate of Watson’s this training camp. Wright was an undrafted free agent tight end who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was let go and signed in Cleveland. However, due to a unique ruling, Wright is heading back to college.
Wright, a former standout at Ole Miss, was waived by Cleveland and his new team is … LSU! Wright was among 16 college football players granted a temporary restraining order last week in a Louisiana court that allowed for a fifth year of collegiate eligibility and enter the NCAA transfer portal to explore their options, as new legislation came from the NCAA in June that grants athletes up to five years of eligibility within five years, but the new rules did not cover players who began their careers in 2022-23, like Wright.
There seems to be a lot of outrage about this, but, had the NCAA granted a one year “transition or grandfather” year to Wright and others, then maybe we wouldn’t have this problem. I for one say “go for it,” for Dae’Quan will probably get more in NIL money, possibly enhancing his value, plus, has the experience of an NFL training camp already.
Good for him and everyone else going back to school. And, for the coaches complaining about this, I’ll say that, if you weren’t chasing the bigger gigs all of the time, maybe there wouldn’t have been a need to pay players?