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MARKSVILLE, La. – Paragon Casino Resort is excited to announce that NFL star Ed Oliver, Jr. will sign and unveil his jersey to hang inside The Draft Room Sports Bar & Grill during a special ceremony on Friday, July 5.
Oliver currently plays defensive tackle wearing #91 for the Buffalo Bills and has always held Marksville close to his heart. Although born and raised in Houston, Texas, Oliver has strong ties to Central Louisiana. His father, Ed Oliver, Sr., is a Marksville native which allowed the younger Oliver to spend his summers and school holidays in Marksville to get away from the city and relax with his cousins.
“I still come out to Marksville as much as I can to see family and spend time in a community that helped raise me,” said Ed Oliver, Jr. “Hanging my jersey in The Draft Room at Paragon symbolizes how I will always have a piece of me in this community and I am grateful for everything I have experienced here throughout my life.”
Oliver loves to be engulfed in the culture of Central Louisiana and spends his off-season riding horses, driving ATVs and spending quality time with family and his daughter, Eva. Oliver also enjoys giving back to the community that has helped with his development in life. He has hosted annual turkey giveaways, Thanksgiving senior celebrations and Christmas toy giveaways with future events being planned.
“Ed Oliver is an outstanding player and an all-around good person having partnered with us on several fundraisers in the past,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr., General Manager for Paragon Casino Resort. “We will proudly hang his jersey so that all who visit know Ed is looking out for the community of Marksville and we will always have his back and cheer him on.”
Oliver went to the University of Houston and became an immediate starter during his freshman season in 2016 and became the first freshman to win the Bill Willis Trophy. During his sophomore year, he was selected to the Walter Camp All American first team and won the Outland Trophy, presented to the nation’s top interior lineman. By his junior year, Oliver had been named as a 3x First Team All-American and 3x First Team All AAC. Oliver declared for the NFL Draft in 2019 and was drafted ninth overall by the Buffalo Bills in the first round.
A special unveiling and signing will take place inside The Draft Room at Paragon Casino Resort on Friday, July 5, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Following the unveiling, fans and visitors will have the chance to interact, take photos and receive a special autographed picture.
To learn more about Paragon Casino Resort, you can go online to paragoncasinoresort.com. You can also follow the latest updates and promotions on Facebook and Instagram.