“I am devastated and have no words for the unfortunate death of Dwayne Huskins,” Tomlin said in a statement posted on Stillers’s Twitter account. He called the general “a great teammate” and “a terrible friend to so many.” Haskins was hit by a dump truck as he tried to cross a Florida freeway at around 6:40 a.m. Saturday, according to the state Highway Patrol. His death was confirmed at the scene. It is not clear why he was walking on Interstate 595 in Broward County, the highway patrol said. The investigation into his death is ongoing. Prior to his NFL debut, Haskins played for Ohio State University, where he was a distinguished player and finalist for the famous Heisman Trophy. He joined the NFL in 2019, when Washington took him to the first round of the draft. Dwayne Huskins, # 3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers, watches during a match against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field on August 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joe Sargent / Getty Images Haskins started the 2020 season as a key player for Washington and was named one of the team’s leaders. He stayed on the bench after four weeks, so Washington was 1-3. Haskins was released in January 2021 and was later received by the Steelers. In a statement, the co-owners of Commanders Dan and Tanya Snyder said they were “devastated” by the news of Haskins’s death. “He was a young man with enormous potential who had a contagious personality,” they said. “To say we are cracked is derogatory.” Commanders-in-chief Ron Rivera called Haskins “a talented young man who had a long life ahead of him”. “I know I’m talking about the rest of our team saying they will miss him a lot,” Rivera said in a statement. “Our entire team sends our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Haskins family at this time.” The NFL also tweeted its condolences to Haskins’s family and loved ones. The NFL family mourns the tragic loss of Dwayne Haskins and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/Ilf1LGzrPr – NFL (@NFL) April 9, 2022 The Twitter account for the Ohio State football program posted a photo of Haskins with the words “Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye.” Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/yxwaIewN9V – Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 9, 2022 Haskins’s teammates reacted to his death on social media. “The world has lost a great man today,” wrote TJ Watt, a Steelers outfield defender. “When Dwayne first entered the locker room, I could say he was an optimistic guy,” Wat said. “He always made people smile, he never took life for granted. His effect on me will last … forever.” Watt’s brother and teammate Derek Watt wrote on Twitter, “Such heartbreaking news. He left very soon. Rest in peace Dwayne.” “Dwayne meant so much to so many people. His smile was contagious and he was a guy you wanted to be around,” Steelers’s Cam Heyward, who played for Ohio, wrote on Twitter. “We are all shocked that we lost him. We will miss him too. We lost you very early. Fortunately I had the opportunity to meet you. RIP DH.” Alex Highsmith wrote on Twitter: “It does not seem true. Those who knew him knew how special he was. Heartbreaking, RIP Dwayne. The Lord be with his family.” “My God, you invited him home when he was very young, I will never forget you and the conversations we had,” wrote Chukwuma Okorafor. “You will live forever. May your family find peace.” More Sophie Reardon Sophie Reardon is a news editor at CBS News. Contact her at [email protected]
