Reports: Former Ohio State OL, starter on 2002 national championship team, has passed

Sad news to pass along: Shane Olivea, a starting offensive lineman on Ohio State’s 2002 national championship team, has reportedly passed away.

Olivea was 2-time All-Big Ten (2002, 2003) and landed with the San Diego Chargers as a 7th-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. In his first 2 seasons, Olivea started 31 of 32 games for the Chargers, landing him a 6-year, $20-million extension. Unfortunately, Olivea’s time with the Chargers came to an end in 2008 when he was released following multiple failed substance tests for pain medication.

Olivea signed with the New York Giants after his release, but was placed on injured reserve and eventually released due to a back injury. He later played in the UFL in 2010 and ’11.

Former teammates were among the first to share the news on social media.

On the heels of two of my great friends (Buckeye Teammates) Birthdays…. Schlegs and Nuge

Woke to the sobering news that @OhioStateFB lost a great one this morning. Shane Olivea passed last night.

Shane played OT at OSU from 2000-2003. National Champ and All Big 10 pic.twitter.com/tP22OKuqEr

— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) March 3, 2022

Shane Olivea #RIH I had many great battles in practice and the league with this man. Class act. We lost a good man. My condolences to the Olivea Family. 🙏🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/NKaDrJv1R4

— RodneyBailey (@Hacksaw94) March 3, 2022

Olivea was 40 years old.

Andrew Olson

A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.