Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive sort out Oliver Gibson, who spent 4 seasons with the Steelers from 1995-1998, died on the age of 53, in accordance with the Cincinnati Enquirer.
A fourth-round choose of the Steelers within the 1995 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Gibson performed in 60 video games with the Steelers as a backup. He recorded 42 tackles and 5.5 profession sacks with the workforce.
Following his time with the Steelers, Gibson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and spent 5 seasons there from 1999-2003.
Whereas with the Bengals, Gibson grew to become a starter and a key piece defensively for the Bengals, taking part in in 73 video games with 57 profession begins. In that span, Gibson recorded 201 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries.
Although he had his most taking part in time and success with the Bengals after the transfer there for the 1999 season, Gibson nonetheless held fond reminiscences of Pittsburgh, stating to Steelers.com in 2011 that Pittsburgh was a magical place not like something he’d skilled in his NFL profession. Even after his post-playing days, Gibson nonetheless recognized as a Steeler and said Pittsburgh was the one NFL workforce he watched.
“There have been so many moments I got here in and made a sack right here and there. There have been nice video games, but it surely was concerning the reminiscences, not simply the performs. It was concerning the individuals within the locker room – Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown – these are unbelievable names,” Gibson advised Steelers.com in 2011. “I performed for Cincinnati and Tampa after leaving, but it surely was by no means the identical type of magic. The best way the town of Pittsburgh rallied across the workforce. That created a particular environment.
“It’s arduous to say one effort. You get a sack in Pittsburgh they discuss you on the Big Eagle the following week.”
Throughout his 4 years in Pittsburgh, his greatest season got here in 1996. He tallied 15 tackles and a pair of.5 sacks, recording sacks in back-to-back weeks in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Oilers in Weeks 7 and eight. Two weeks later in opposition to St. Louis, he recorded a half-sack.
He additionally recorded three tackles within the playoffs that yr, together with two within the divisional spherical loss to the New England Patriots.
Within the 1998 season, his last with the Steelers, Gibson recorded 2.0 sacks. Each got here in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens in a 16-6 Steelers win. Gibson sacked quarterback Eric Zeier within the third quarter on a third and seven for a 6-yard loss, in accordance with Professional Soccer Reference, and later took down Zeier on a 1st and 10 late within the fourth quarter to assist shut out the sport.
After that season he signed with the Bengals and spent 5 extra years there, closing out his profession.
In his post-career, Gibson acquired into the broadcasting world earlier than changing into the pinnacle coach of his highschool in Romeoville, Illinois in 2014.
