Dwayne Haskins, the former Ohio State quarterback who was picked in the first round by Washington in 2019 and now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died Saturday morning. He was 24 years old.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Haskins was hit by a dump truck in Broward County, Fla. According to the social media accounts of teammates, he was in Boca Raton field training with other Pittsburgh players. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first report good,
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and the Washington Commanders confirmed the news.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Haskins was trying to cross the westbound lanes of I-595, a highway in Broward County, when killed. The accident was reported at 6:37 a.m. Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s not clear how or why he got on the highway, but the FHP said the investigation into the traffic homicide was ongoing.
The former Ohio State standout joined Washington in 2019 when the organization selected him 15th overall in the NFL Draft. He started 13 games for the club in two seasons before being released in December 2020. Haskins signed with the Steelers a month later.
“Dwayne was a young man of great intelligence who cared deeply for his loved ones and the world,” Washington Commanders team chairman Jason Wright wrote in a tweet. “Praying for his wife, parents and everyone who knows him, we grieve for the loss of the man and the impact of his unique gifts on society. May grace cover the stigma of death.”
Haskins was born in Highland Park, NJ and played high school football at Bullis School in Potomac, MD.
Bullis head coach Pat Cilento spoke with Shomari Stone of CNBC’s The News with Shepard Smith about his reaction to the news of his death.
“My first reaction after receiving a text message [was that] I couldn’t believe it,” said Cielto. “I’m still in shock, still real to me, you know, I was just devastated… He was always a great leader, always had an infectious smile. He was a very family-oriented young man, wanted everyone around him to be successful.”
The school also offered condolences to Haskins’ family in a statement.
School leader Christian G. “Here at Bullis we also knew him as a respectable, smart and family-oriented young man who graduated from college in three years. His loss will be felt by many,” Sullivan said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
