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.
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.”
Dwayne Haskins spent the 2021 NFL season with the Steelers. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Washington co-owners Dan and Tanya Snyder also released a statement, calling Haskins a “young man with a tremendous amount of potential.”
Ohio State also confirmed the news, sending prayers to those who knew Haskins.
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.”
Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer called Haskins “one of the greatest” quarterbacks to play at Ohio State.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who played with Haskins at Ohio State, posted an image of the two embracing after a game.
Steelers teammate Cam Heyward said Haskins’ smile “was infectious.”
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…