NFL Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, 24, Dies After Being Hit by Truck

Dwayne Haskins, 24, the backup Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and a former standout at Ohio State, died Saturday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed in a press release.

In response to the Florida Freeway Patrol, Haskins was making an attempt to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 in Fort Lauderdale, when he was struck by a dump truck round 6:37 am He was pronounced useless on the scene.

“I’m devastated and confused with the unlucky passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Tomlin mentioned in a press release. “He shortly grew to become a part of our Steelers household upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one in every of our hardest employees, each on the sector and in our group. Dwayne was a fantastic teammate however much more so an incredible pal to so many. I’m really heartbroken.”

Haskins was a first-round draft choose of the Washington Commanders in 2019, chosen at No. 15 general, after he threw for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns in his solely 12 months as a starter at Ohio State. In 2018, he completed third in Heisman Trophy voting, behind Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, after main Ohio State to a 13-1 file, together with a win within the Rose Bowl towards Washington. He accomplished 70 p.c of his passes that season and, at 6-foot-3, was projected to have an NFL future for his accuracy as a pocket passer.

His school coach, City Meyer, wrote in a Twitter submit that Haskins was “one of many biggest QB’s in Ohio State historical past, however a fair higher son, teammate and pal.”

However Haskins struggled in his first two NFL seasons, successful three of his 13 begins in Washington whereas throwing 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, and was benched in favor of Alex Smith. The Commanders launched him earlier than the tip of the 2020 season due to his efficiency, and for a number of violations of Covid-19 protocols.

“He was a younger man with an incredible quantity of potential who had an infectious character,” Daniel and Tanya Snyder, the Commanders’ co-owners, mentioned in a press release.

The Steelers signed Haskins in January 2021 as a backup, however he didn’t play that season. In March, the Steelers re-signed him as a restricted free agent, and Haskins was anticipated to compete for the beginning job with Mason Rudolf and Mitchell Trubisky in coaching camp. Haskins had been coaching with teammates final week in Florida. His dying sparked an outpouring of assist from NFL gamers on social media.

“When Dwayne walked in to the locker room, I might inform he was an upbeat man,” Steelers linebacker TJ Watt wrote in a Twitter submit. “He was all the time making individuals smile, by no means taking life without any consideration. His influence on me will final eternally.”