Paul Oliver, Former San Diego Charger, Committed Suicide

Paul Oliver’s death has been ruled a suicide; the former San Diego Chargers safety died on Tuesday of a self-inflicted gun wound.

Oliver, 29, had played in the NFL for the Chargers from 2007 to 2011, and was not currently signed with any team.

“Everyone in the Chargers family is sad today after hearing the news about Paul. He was part of our family for five years. At just 29 years old, he still had a lifetime in front of him. Right now all of our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this most difficult time,” the team said in a statement.

Oliver’s body was found in his home in Georgia Tuesday night by police after a family member called 911. According to the police report, his wife and two children were in the home at the time of his death.

“We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. We request privacy in the wake of this tragic loss,” Oliver’s family said in a statement.

Before playing in the NFL, Oliver played defensive back at the University of Georgia.

“I just want to say it’s been rough. I just want to tell everybody in his family that we’re thinking about them and we love them. We’ll do whatever we can to help,” University of Georgia Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told reporters.

Former teammates have also spoken publicly about the loss, including safety Eric Weddle.

“We used to have some side jokes, and some of them still carry on today even though he’s not here. Even more so now, we’ll think about him every day, just what he brought to us and how he was as a person… I wasn’t thinking about football much today; that’s for sure. It’s a sad day,” Weddle said.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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