Former Ohio State star dead at the age of 40 | Former Chargers draft pick Shane Olivea passed away
Ohio State’s star offensive tackle Shane Olivea died last night at the age of 40-years-old. Olivea was drafted in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. His former teammate broke the news on Twitter. Bobby Carpenter the former Cowboys linebacker posted this on social media.
“Woke to the sobering news that @OhioStateFB lost a great one this morning,” former linebacker Bobby Carpenter tweeted.
Olivea was also a member of the New York Giants, Florida Tuskers, and Virginia Destroyers.
Olivea was a three year starter for Ohio State, and tore his pectoral muscle before the draft. He was projected as a third rounder and ended up falling to the 7th round when the Chargers jumped on him.
Olivea started 31 of 32 games for the Chargers in his first two years. He started 57 games in his career. The star offensive lineman would end up getting cut by the Chargers after he missed a drug test following a previous failed test.
There are not many details right now on his death, but 40 years is very young. Olivea overcame years of opioid addiction that began in his rookie season with the San Diego Chargers to earn his bachelor’s degree in sports industry in December 2016 through OSU’s degree-completion program for former players.
Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.
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