Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died Saturday morning when he was struck by a vehicle while walking as a pedestrian on a Florida highway.
Haskins was 24.
“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement released by the team. “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.”
Police in Florida said Haskins was killed when he was struck by a dump truck and pronounced dead at the scene.
“Mr. Haskins was walking on a limited access facility (highway/expressway) for unknown reasons. He was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when there was oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, he collided with a dump truck,” according to Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Indiana Miranda.
The crash occurred at 6:37 a.m. near the intersection of I-595 and I-95 in Broward County, near Fort Lauderdale.
Miranda said the incident is being investigated by the agency’s traffic homicide division and no additional information will be released until the probe is completed.
Statement from Head Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/hI5QaKzBUq
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 9, 2022
A former Ohio State star who was a first-round pick by the then-Washington Redskins in 2019, Haskins was released before the end of his second NFL season and joined the Steelers early last offseason. He spent the entire 2021 season on the active roster as the No. 3 quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph. With Roethlisberger’s retirement, Tomlin had said Haskins would be given a chance to win the starting job this season
A native of Potomac, Md., Haskins was a 2018 Heisman Trophy finalist.
Last month, Haskins signed a $2.54 million tender from the Steelers as a restricted free agent. He was a gameday inactive for all but one game during his tenure with the Steelers — Nov. 14, when Roethlisberger had tested positive for covid-19.
Standing 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Haskins’ talent was recognizable and honed at a young age. One of the top pro-style quarterbacks in the country coming out of The Bullis School, he ultimately signed with Ohio State. He would end up breaking almost two dozen school records for career, season or game passing/offense, throwing for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdown passes while winning the Big Ten offensive player of the year award in 2018.
“Leader. Legend, Forever a Buckeye,” read a message posted to the verified Twitter account for Ohio State football.
He loved his family, he loved his teammates, he loved the game and he will be greatly missed. Prayers to the family of Dwayne Haskins.❤️ pic.twitter.com/IoN7nBHga1
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 9, 2022
The NFL’s official draft profile of Haskins the following spring touted his “explosive arm talent.” Roethlisberger, a future Hall of Fame quarterback who was also a first-round pick, would marvel at Haskins’ arm strength soon after practicing with him as a teammate for the first time last year.
“His release and throwing motion mechanics are some of the prettiest I have ever seen,” Roethlisberger said in June. “I told him I wish I had that. I joked that he could throw it through a car wash, and it wouldn’t get wet.”
Hawkins’ hometown franchise, Washington, selected him with the No. 15 overall pick three years ago.
A statement released by the now-Commanders franchise attributed to owners Dan and Tanya Snyder said they were “devastated.”
“He was a young man with a tremendous amount of potential who had an infectious personality,” the Snyders’ statement read. “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.”
We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dwayne Haskins.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/PsDEx9RI5J
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 9, 2022
Haskins started only 13 games (going 3-10) with 12 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions over 16 total appearances for Washington. A day after committing four turnovers in a loss and following twice violating NFL covid-19 protocols during that 2020 coronavirus-affected season, Haskins was released with a game remaining on the schedule.
He signed with the Steelers three weeks later, looking to revitalize his career in Pittsburgh. By all accounts from Tomlin on down and via teammates, Haskins was well-received among the Steelers. That the Steelers offered him the contract tender this spring despite the presence of Rudolph and newly signed Mitch Trubisky on the roster backed up that he had been a welcome addition to the roster over the past year.
“The world lost a great person today,” read a message posted to the verified Twitter account of Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt. “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 forever.”
Haskins was in Florida along with several other Steelers offensive players at the invite of Trubisky.
“Devastated,” read a message posted to the verified Twitter account of Rudolph.
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Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at cadamski@triblive.com or via Twitter .