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Shane Olivea, a former NFL offensive lineman and Ohio State University standout, has died at the age of 40.
NFL Vice President of Football Development Roman Oben, who was Olivea's teammate during all four of his NFL seasons with the then-San Diego Chargers, initially announced news of the former offensive tackle's death.
"Very sad to hear the news of my former teammate Shane Olivea. Praying for his family today," Oben tweeted.
Olivea, a two-time Second Team All-Big Ten (2002, 2003) selection at Ohio State, was selected by the Chargers in the seventh-round of the 2004 NFL Draft at No. 7 overall.
The now-Los Angeles Chargers -- the franchise Olivea spent all four of his NFL seasons from 2004-07 -- paid tribute to the former lineman in a news release shared after Oben's tweet.
"The Chargers are saddened to learn that former offensive tackle Shane Olivea has passed away at the age of 40," the team wrote.
Olivea started 57 of the 60 games he appeared in during his four NFL seasons, which included all 16 as a rookie and in 2006, playing a key role on the offensive line as running back LaDainian Tomlinson set the NFL single-season touchdown record (29).
The Cedarhurst, New York native signed with the New York Giants in July 2008, but was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a back injury the following month and later released with an injury settlement before ever appearing in another game.
Olivea spent one season with the UFL's Florida Tuskers in 2010 and its succeeding franchise, the Virginia Destroyers, in 2011.