Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State standout and NFL first-round pick, dead at 24
Former Ohio State star and NFL first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins died Saturday. He was 24.
Haskins was struck by a vehicle Saturday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 6:37 a.m. Florida Highway Patrol believes Haskins was trying to cross traffic lanes on foot when he was struck by a vehicle. A traffic homicide investigation is open.
Dwayne Haskins, the Florida Highway Patrol determined, was attempting to cross the westbound lands of I-595 on foot when there was oncoming traffic, and was struck by a dump truck. He was pronounced dead on the scene. A traffic homicide investigation remains open.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 9, 2022
Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene. Interstate 595, the road on which the crash occurred, was shut down for several hours following the crash.
Haskins was in South Florida training with Pittsburgh Steelers players for the 2022 NFL season.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Haskins' death, calling Haskins "one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community."
Statement from Head Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/hI5QaKzBUq
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 9, 2022
Washington co-owners Dan and Tanya Snyder also released a statement, calling Haskins a "young man with a tremendous amount of potential."
Statement from co-owners Dan and Tanya Snyder pic.twitter.com/6Dn0z3RbeQ
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 9, 2022
Ohio State also confirmed the news, sending prayers to those who knew Haskins.
The Dept. of Athletics is terribly saddened to learn of the death of Dwayne Haskins. We are thinking of the entire Haskins family during this most difficult time. Our prayers are with the family, and with his current and former teammates, coaches, friends and relatives. https://t.co/4aEdQ9nQdj
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) April 9, 2022
Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/yxwaIewN9V
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 9, 2022
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
Players, coaches pay tribute to Dwayne Haskins
NFL players, and some of Haskins' former coaches, paid tribute to Haskins on Saturday. Ryan Day, who was Ohio State's offensive coordinator when Haskins was at the college, said Haskins, "Had a giant heart."
The loss of Dwayne is beyond tragic and extremely difficult to process. For those who knew him closely, he was much more than a great football player. He had a giant heart, old soul and an infectious smile. The Ohio State community and our entire football program are heartbroken.
— Ryan Day (@ryandaytime) April 9, 2022
Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer called Haskins "one of the greatest" quarterbacks to play at Ohio State.
Heartbroken to hear of the loss of Dwayne Haskins Jr. My thoughts and prayers go out to his incredible family. One of the greatest QB’s in Ohio State history, but an even better son, teammate, and friend. God Bless!! pic.twitter.com/lM9Z8LzMhe
— Urban Meyer (@CoachUrbanMeyer) April 9, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who played with Haskins at Ohio State, posted an image of the two embracing after a game.
Tough to find the words… you will be missed pic.twitter.com/x9bNzmRvCv
— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) April 9, 2022
Steelers teammate Cam Heyward said Haskins' smile "was infectious."
Dwayne meant so much to so many people. His smile was infectious and he was a guy you wanted to be around. We are all in shock about losing him. We are going to miss the heck out of him as well. We lost you way too early. Luckily I got a chance to get to know you. RIP DH
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 9, 2022
After an exceptional 2018 season at Ohio State during which he threw 50 touchdowns, Haskins was selected with the No. 15 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft by Washington. Haskins spent two seasons with the team, throwing 12 touchdowns against 14 interceptions in 13 starts.
Washington released Haskins in 2020 shortly after he was fined $40,000 for being photographed partying without a mask, a violation of the league's COVID-19 protocols. Haskins was stripped of his captaincy as a result of the incident. It was the second time in 2020 he was fined for a COVID-19 protocol violation.
Haskins started the following week but was benched for Taylor Heinicke. Washington released Haskins after that game.
Haskins signed with the Steelers that offseason. He made the team, and served as its No. 3 quarterback for the 2021 NFL season. Haskins did not appear in any games with the Steelers last season.
Haskins remained on the Steelers' roster following the 2021 season. He was expected to compete for a role with the team in 2022 after it signed Mitchell Trubisky to replace Ben Roethlisberger in March.
