Last Updated on November 6, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Ed Oliver Jr. is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 12, 1997, in Houston, Texas, Oliver developed into one of the country’s most promising defensive players before being selected ninth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Beyond his football career, Ed Oliver is a father and family-oriented athlete whose upbringing, relationship and experiences as a parent have played important roles in his personal development.
His family includes his longtime partner, Dymond Gladney, his children, his parents, Ed Oliver Sr. and Dana Baker, and his older brother, Marcus Oliver.
Ed Oliver’s Girlfriend: Who Is Ed Oliver Dating?
Ed Oliver has been romantically linked to Dymond Gladney, who has been identified in published reports as his longtime partner.
Although Oliver has generally kept his romantic relationships away from extensive media attention, reporting by Us Weekly in August 2026 identified Gladney as his partner and the mother of their two children.
Gladney has occasionally shared moments involving Oliver and their family on social media, providing glimpses of their personal lives outside professional football.
Despite their established relationship, there has been no reliable public confirmation that Ed Oliver and Dymond Gladney are legally married. Therefore, she is more accurately described as his longtime girlfriend or partner rather than his wife.
Ed Oliver’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Ed Oliver is the father of two children, a daughter and a son. His experiences raising children have significantly influenced his perspective on responsibility, maturity and leadership.
During a September 2025 press conference, Oliver explained that becoming a father helped him grow personally and professionally. He credited his children with teaching him patience and helping him become a better leader.
1. Ava Oliver – Ed Oliver’s Daughter
Ava Oliver is Ed Oliver’s daughter. Her name appears in the Buffalo Bills’ official 2024 media guide, which identifies her as one of the defensive tackle’s family members.
Some later media reports refer to his daughter as Eva, although the Bills’ official documentation uses the spelling Ava.
Oliver has expressed how important fatherhood is to his development, acknowledging that caring for his children has helped him become more mature and attentive.
Additional personal details about his daughter, including her exact date of birth, have not been widely documented in reliable public sources.
2. Ed Oliver III – Ed Oliver’s Son
Ed Oliver III was the football player’s young son, whom he shared with his longtime partner, Dymond Gladney.
Tragically, Ed Oliver III died on June 28, 2026, at the age of two, following an accidental drowning at a residence in the Houston area.
The tragedy became public in August 2026, when the Buffalo Bills officially acknowledged the loss and expressed condolences to Oliver and his family.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane publicly offered the organization’s support, describing the loss as an unimaginable tragedy for a parent.
The family requested privacy during this extremely difficult period, and teammates and members of the football community expressed their sympathy and support.
Ed Oliver’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Ed Oliver was born to Ed Oliver Sr. and Dana Baker. Both parents played important roles in his upbringing and his early development as an athlete.
Growing up in the Houston area, Oliver developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for family, sports and horseback riding.
Ed Oliver’s Father: Ed Oliver Sr.
Ed Oliver Sr. is the father of the Buffalo Bills defensive tackle.
He played an important role in introducing his son to horses and teaching him the importance of discipline, hard work and responsibility.
According to a feature published by the Buffalo Bills, Oliver recalled spending time working alongside his father and older brother, Marcus, including helping construct a barn.
His father’s commitment to physical work and horseback riding influenced Oliver’s personality and interests beyond football.
Oliver has frequently spoken about his passion for horses, an interest he developed during his childhood through his father’s influence.
Ed Oliver’s Mother: Dana Baker
Dana Baker is Ed Oliver’s mother.
She helped raise Ed and his older brother, Marcus, in a north Houston neighborhood close to members of their extended family.
In a September 2017 ESPN feature published by ABC News, Dana discussed her sons’ upbringing and their close relationship with one another.
She also described how her family experienced Hurricane Harvey, explaining that Ed and Marcus remained attentive to their relatives during the difficult circumstances.
Her involvement in their childhood helped establish a strong family connection that continued as both sons pursued football.
Ed Oliver’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Ed Oliver has an older brother named Marcus Oliver, who also pursued a career in football.
A 2017 ESPN family profile additionally mentioned two much younger children in his mother and stepfather’s household. Their names and further personal details have not been clearly established in widely available reporting.
Marcus Oliver – Ed Oliver’s Older Brother
Marcus Oliver is Ed Oliver’s older brother and a former college football player at the University of Houston.
The brothers grew up sharing an enthusiasm for sports, and Marcus played an influential role in Ed’s decision to pursue football.
When Marcus began playing youth football, Ed regularly accompanied him to practices and eventually followed his example by joining the sport himself.
Both brothers attended Westfield High School in the Houston area before continuing their football careers at the University of Houston.
Marcus later pursued football coaching. The Buffalo Bills’ 2024 media guide identified him as a coach at Pineville High School in Louisiana.
The brothers’ relationship has remained an important part of Ed Oliver’s personal history, particularly because Marcus helped inspire his early interest in the game.
Ed Oliver’s Family Background and Early Life
Ed Oliver grew up in Houston, Texas, where his family encouraged his athletic interests and taught him the importance of persistence and hard work.
He attended Westfield High School, developing into an outstanding defensive lineman and earning recognition as one of the country’s leading football prospects.
Despite receiving attention from numerous major college football programs, Oliver chose the University of Houston, allowing him to continue playing football close to his hometown and family.
His strong performances with the Houston Cougars eventually led to his selection by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Throughout his football journey, Oliver has repeatedly emphasized the influence of his upbringing and the importance of maintaining close relationships with his loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ed Oliver’s Family
Who is Ed Oliver’s girlfriend?
Ed Oliver’s longtime partner is Dymond Gladney, with whom he shares two children.
Is Ed Oliver married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Ed Oliver is married. Dymond Gladney has been described in media reporting as his longtime partner.
How many children does Ed Oliver have?
Ed Oliver has two children: a daughter, identified as Ava in the Buffalo Bills’ official media guide, and a son, Ed Oliver III, who tragically died in June 2026.
Who are Ed Oliver’s parents?
Ed Oliver’s parents are Ed Oliver Sr. and Dana Baker. They helped shape his upbringing and early interest in sports.
Who is Ed Oliver’s brother?
Ed Oliver’s older brother is Marcus Oliver, a former University of Houston football player who subsequently worked in football coaching.
What happened to Ed Oliver’s son?
Ed Oliver III died at the age of two following an accidental drowning on June 28, 2026. The Buffalo Bills publicly acknowledged the family’s loss in August of that year.
Where is Ed Oliver’s family from?
Ed Oliver grew up in the Houston, Texas, area, where several members of his family lived. His Houston upbringing played an important role in his football development.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
