USA TODAY International Edition
Steelers’ Haskins, 24, dies after being hit by truck
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died Saturday morning after he was hit by a dump truck near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 24.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Haskins was walking on a “limited access facility ( highway/ expressway) for unknown reasons” around 6: 37 a. m. The FHP said he was attempting to cross westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when he was hit. He was pronounced dead at the scene, per the FHP, and traffic homicide investigators were on the scene.
The highway patrol added that there are live- feed cameras near the scene but footage is not recorded and that the dump truck driver stayed on the scene following the accident and no arrests have been made.
Haskins signed with the Steelers as a developmental QB in January 2021 but did not see any action last season. He was in Florida training with other Steelers skill position players – quarterback Mitch Trubisky, running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers coach Mike
Tomlin said in a statement Saturday. “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.”
Haskins was a standout at Ohio State University and in 2018, his only season as a starter, threw 50 touchdown passes, earning Big Ten offensive player of the year honors and finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
He was drafted with the 15th overall pick by Washington in the 2019 NFL draft. Haskins played in nine games his rookie season, throwing seven TD passes and seven interceptions. In his second season, he threw for five TDs before being released in December 2020.
Haskins is survived by his wife, Kalabrya; parents Dwayne and Tamara; and a younger sister, Tamia.
“We are devastated to hear the news of the tragic passing of Dwayne Haskins, Jr. He was a young man with a tre
mendous amount of potential who had an infectious personality,” Commanders owners Dan and Tanya Snyder said in a statement. “To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. Our hearts and prayers are with the members of Dwayne’s family and all of those who knew him and loved him.”
Starred at Ohio State
“The Ohio State Department of Athletics is terribly saddened to learn of the death of Dwayne Haskins Saturday morning,” the school said in a statement. “We are thinking of the entire Haskins family during this most difficult time. Our prayers are with the family, and with his current and former teammates, coaches, friends and relatives.”
Haskins beat out Joe Burrow for the starting job in 2018 and had a dazzling season for the Buckeyes. He threw for 4,831 yards and completed 70% of his passes. He earned the Big Ten’s Silver Football award as the conference’s best player.
Haskins signed with Ohio State in 2016 as a four- star recruit from the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland. He redshirted as a freshman and was a backup to J. T. Barrett in 2017. In the Michigan game that year, Haskins replaced an injured Barrett and led OSU to a 31- 20 comeback victory.
In 2018, Haskins battled with Burrow to succeed Barrett as the starter. Haskins was the presumptive frontrunner because of his performance against Michigan. Burrow, who had broken his thumb in 2017, was unable to unseat Haskins in spring practice and transferred to LSU.
Urban Meyer reacts to Haskins’ death
Meyer, Haskins’ coach at Ohio State, told The Columbus Dispatch on Saturday that he was devastated.
“He was one of the sweetest kids,” Meyer said. “The players all loved him. My daughter ( Nicki Meyer Dennis) just showed me a picture of him holding our grandson. I’m just heartbroken for that family.”
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith wrote on Twitter: “Shocked and saddened by the devastating news about Dwayne.
e was a legend on the field and truly a tremendous human being.”