Star Quarterback at Ohio State, first round draft pick and NFL Quarterback for Washington and Pittsburgh dies after being struck by a dump truck while attempting to cross lines on highway (unknown reasons). He was 24-years-old.
Highway Patrol statement to the Press
Due to oncoming traffic, the 24-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback died after being struck by a dump truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Regarding the reason why he was walking on the highway, Florida Highway Patrol told an ABC reporter: “Mr. Haskins was walking on a limited access facility (Highway/expressway) for unknown reasons.”
Dwayne Haskins last season at Ohio State saw him throw fifty touchdowns and be in the race for the Heisman trophy award. Dan Snyder the owner of the then Washington Redskins was impressed by Haskins from when he saw him play in Potomac Maryland at the same high school of his son.
Against the wishes of the football personnel side of the house in Washington, Snyder insisted that the team draft him as the Number 15 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Haskins famously said at the time, “The league done messed up”, as Haskins believed he should have been drafted higher.
In his first season Haskins mostly sat on the bench behind veteran Case Keenum, only getting to play sparingly. Coach Jay Gruden who was coaching in what ended up being his last season was not a huge Haskins supporter.
When he did play in 2019, he showed flashes here and there, earning a win but in which he somehow was not on the field for the last plays of the game, he was on the sideline taking a selfie with a fan. A moment where young “Simba” which he referred to himself as on social media showed a flash of his immaturity.
In a game in late 2019, Haskins hurt his lower leg and instead of coming back into the game Team owner Dan Snyder came down from his owner’s box and told Dwayne he was too important to risk himself for a meaningless late season game.
Jay Gruden was fired during the 2019 season, and eventually in the off season the team hired Ron Rivera formerly the Head Coach of the Carolina Panthers. Rivera decided to give Haskins an opportunity to win the job, and after training camp Haskins was on the right track as he was named a Captain and the starting QB.
Haskins struggled, and ended up benched, but Coach Rivera told Haskins to stay ready saying the team would need him at some point. Later in the season the team would come back to Haskins due to injury. Haskins would start games against Seattle and Carolina.
The team would perform poorly offensively in both games, and Haskins was replaced late in the Carolina game by fan favorite Taylor Heinicke. After the Carolina game Haskins was caught on video in a private party that had exotic dancers with no masks on that would get him in trouble for breaking Covid-19 protocols and would be the last straw in Washington as Haskins was released from the team after this incident.
Haskins was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers to be a heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger, this offseason Haskins was going to be given the opportunity to compete for a job.
The young QB was in South Florida, working out with Pittsburgh skilled position players working on things for training camp. At the time of his untimely death Haskins was one month short of turning 25-years-old, and he leaves behind a wife, and lots of heartbroken fans, coaches and teammates.
Statement from Washington Commanders Ownership
“We are devastated to hear the news of the tragic passing of Dwayne Haskins Jr,” the Snyders released in a statement. “He was a young man with a tremendous amount of potential who had an infectious personality. The 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.”
Statement from Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin
I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” 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.”
Teammate Chase Claypool’s reaction; he was with the late Haskins in Florida
Dwayne Haskins was born on May 3, 1997, in Highland Park, New Jersey.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/09/sport/dwayne-haskins-steelers-death-spt-intl/index.html