Pittsburgh Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins dies after colliding with a dump truck

Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Dwayne Haskins He died Saturday morning after being hit by a dump truck while traveling on a South Florida highway. Haskins was 24 years old.

Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Indiana Miranda confirmed the accident on Westbound 595. Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene.

Miranda didn’t say why Haskins was on the highway. The accident caused the highway to be closed for several hours.

“He was just walking on the highway and he got injured,” Miranda told the Associated Press.

Haskins has been training in South Florida with other Steelers players, running their backs and wide receivers.

“I am shocked and speechless at the passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “He quickly became part of the Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our most hard-working workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but a great friend to so many. Really heartbreaking.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Calabria and all his family during this difficult time.”

After a distinguished 2018 season at Ohio State, Haskins was named 15th overall by the Washington Leaders in the 2019 draft.

Haskins spent two turbulent seasons with Washington before signing in Pittsburgh prior to last season.

“We are shocked to hear of the tragic death of Dwayne Haskins Jr.,” co-owners Daniel and Tania Snyder said in a statement. “He was a young man of enormous potential who had an infectious personality. To say we were broken is an understatement. Our hearts and prayers are with the Dwayne family and all who knew and loved him.”

“Dwayne was a talented young man with a long life ahead,” captains coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. “This is a very sad time and I am frankly at a loss. I know I speak for the rest of our team to say it will be greatly missed. Our entire team sends our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Haskins family at this time.”

Haskins played 15 games over two seasons with Washington, collecting a quarterly total of 29.4 — the league average over that period was 63.5. He threw 12 touchdown passes to 14 interceptions.

Haskins’ time in Washington started off somewhat controversially, as scouts and coaches lobbied against being drafted with the 15th pick – but Snyder wanted him. Haskins was a big name locally, having starred for three seasons at Police High School in Potomac, Maryland.

Haskins started seven games in his rookie year and the first four the following season, but was fired after a 3-10 loss to Baltimore. Washington released Haskins later that season, unclaimed in waivers. He signed a backup/future contract with Pittsburgh in January 2021.

Haskins said he was humbled by the decision, and stressed that he was keen to work hard and absorb as much as possible from Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph. He made the list as the third man but only wore clothes once, and was a reserve in the draw with Detroit after putting Roethlisberger into COVID-19 protocol the night before the game.

In response to the news of Haskins’ death, Rudolph simply tweet“Destroyed.”

Steelers Linebacker TJ Watt He mentions Haskins as an “optimistic man”.

Today the world has lost a great person. When Dwayne first walked into the locker room, I could tell he was an upbeat guy. He always made people smile, never took life for granted. His influence on me will last forever.

– TJ Watt (@TJWatt) April 9, 2022

Both Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert have 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 Trubesky to get a spot.

“We’re excited to see what Dwayne can deliver, both from competition, and perhaps even developing as a start,” Colbert said in January.

Haskins had his biggest success on the ground in Ohio. After spending his first two seasons behind JT Barrett, Haskins won Joe Borough To be the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback in the 2018-19 season.

Haskins supported the Ohio State coaching staff’s decision by delivering perhaps the greatest season in the program’s history. He set the Big Ten’s single-season records for passing yards (4831), touchdowns (50) and total offensive yards (4,939), as well as a total of 28 school records.

A record-breaking year saw Haskins named to the Heisman Cup Final and a third AP All-American team.

In his last game as Buckeye, Haskins threw three touchdowns and 251 yards in the Rose Bowl victory over Washington.

“Dwayne’s loss is beyond tragic and very difficult to deal with,” said current Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who was Haskins’ coach as well as Backie’s acting coach in 2018, Posted on Twitter. “For those who knew him closely, he was more than just a great football player. He had a giant heart, an old soul, and an infectious smile. The Ohio community and the entire football program are heartbroken.”

Leader. Explanatory title. Forever Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/yxwaIewN9V

Ohio State Football (OhioStateFB) April 9, 2022

school said in statment. “Our thoughts are with the entire Haskins family during this most difficult time. Our prayers are with the family, and with current and former teammates, coaches, friends, and relatives.”

“Heartbroken to hear of Dwayne Haskins Jr’s loss,” former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer Saturday tweet. “My thoughts and prayers go out to his amazing family. One of the greatest QB in Ohio history, but even the best son, colleague, and friend. God bless you!!”

Information from ESPN’s John Keim and The Associated Press was used in this report.