Shane Olivea, an NFL player, died, and new information is continually coming to light.
The 40-year-old San Diego Chargers player passed away from “hypertensive heart disease,” with “obesity” listed as a contributing factor, according to docs obtained by E! News on June 21. The former athlete’s death was found to be a natural process.
Olivea passed away on March 2, and the NFL team released a statement the next day confirming his passing.
The group paid tribute to the former lineman by discussing the legacy Olivea leaves behind and recalled the moment he was initially chosen to join the Chargers.
Following a stellar collegiate career at Ohio State, Olivea was chosen by the Chargers in the seventh round (No. 209 overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft, according to the March 3 statement. He spent four seasons with San Diego, starting 57 out of 60 games that he participated in.
“Olivea was a key part of an offensive line that helped Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson break the NFL’s single-season touchdown record in 2006,” the team stated in its statement.
According to AP News, Olivea was let go by the Chargers after four years because of a painkiller problem. After leaving rehab, he signed on with the New York Giants, but his stint with the organization was ultimately cut short by a back ailment.
Numerous NFL players paid respect to Olivea on social media after the star passed away.
Former NFL linebacker Bobby Carpenter, who played for clubs including the Dallas Cowboys, tweeted on March 3 “I awoke this morning to the depressing news that @OhioStateFB lost a great one. Last night, Shane Olivea passed away.”
Carpenter continued “I’ll never forget the consideration he gave to a naive freshman who was ignorant of all things. Thank you. #RIPShane”
Olivea was spotted playing while wearing a Chargers uniform, and Roman Oben, the NFL’s vice president, tweeted: “I was extremely saddened to learn about my former teammate Shane Olivea. praying right now for his family.”