Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins killed in auto accident
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed Saturday when he was hit by a dump truck as he was walking on a South Florida highway.
Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Indiana Miranda confirmed the incident that occurred on westbound Interstate 595 about 6:30 a.m. Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miranda didn’t say why the 24-year-old Haskins was on the highway at the time. The accident caused the highway to be shut down for several hours.
“He was just walking on the highway and got hit,” Miranda told the Associated Press.
Haskins’ death sparked an outpouring of grief from multiple corners of the NFL, particularly with his former teammates with the Steelers and Washington Commanders.
“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time.”
The 24-year-old Haskins was a first-round draft choice of Washington in 2019 and started seven games, going 2-5 as a rookie. The former Ohio State star was 1-5 in six starts the next season for the team, then was released.
Washington coach Ron Rivera said he was “absolutely heartbroken” to learn of Haskins’ death.
“Dwayne was a talented young man who had a long life ahead of him,” Rivera said in a release. “This is a very sad time and I am honestly at a loss for words. I know I speak for the rest of our team in saying he will be sorely missed. Our entire team is sending our heartfelt condolences and thoughts and prayers to the Haskins family at this time.”
Ohio State, Haskins’ alma mater, posted a photo of him on its Twitter feed. It read: “Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye.“
The Steelers gave Haskins a chance to resurrect his career in January 2021 when they signed him a month after being released by Washington. Humbled, Haskins stressed he was eager to work hard and absorb as much as he could from Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph. He made the cut but dressed only once for a game, serving as the backup in a tie with Detroit after Roethlisberger was placed into the COVID-19 protocol the night before the game.
Tommy Davis, who won the National League batting title in 1962 and 1963 and was a three-time All-Star, died Sunday night in Phoenix at the age of 83.
“The world lost a great person today,” Steelers star T.J. Watt posted on Twitter. “When Dwayne first walked into the locker room I could tell he was an upbeat guy. He was always making people smile, never taking life for granted.”
Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert both praised Haskins for his improvement since joining the team, and the Steelers re-signed him to a one-year deal as a restricted free agent in March. He was expected to compete with Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky for a spot.
“We’re excited to see what Dwayne can provide, either from competition, or maybe he evolves as a starter,” Colbert said in January.
Haskins appeared to be working out in South Florida this week with several teammates, including Trubisky, running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
“Devastated,” Rudolph said on social media.
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