Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed Saturday morning after a highway accident.
The 24-year-old rising sensation was attempting to cross Interstate 595 in Florida, on foot, for unknown reasons. While attempting to do so, he was fatally struck by a dump truck. Motivations behind the incident as well as further details are unknown.
“He was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when there was oncoming traffic,” Lt. Indiana Miranda of the Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement. She went on to state that Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene, and that the incident is currently “an open traffic homicide investigation.”
Statement from Head Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/hI5QaKzBUq
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 9, 2022
“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “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.”
Following an outstanding season at Ohio State in 2018, Haskins was selected 15th overall in the 2019 Draft, by the Washington Commanders. After playing with them for two seasons, he was released and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Now, Ohio State will honor the late quarterback and university alum during the Buckeyes’ spring game on Saturday.
Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/yxwaIewN9V
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 9, 2022
“Just the way that he was eleven years old walking through this facility and said, ‘This is what I’m going to do.’ And then he did it,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. “That’s the legacy he’s gonna leave behind.”
“The world lost a great person today,” teammate J.J. Watt said of Haskins. “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. His impact on me will last a [sic] forever.”
It is undeniable that Haskins’ death came too soon. His legacy, both on and off the field, and the positive impact he had on his teammates, coaches, and everyone around him, will never be forgotten.
