Haskins was 24 years old. “I am devastated and have no words for the unfortunate death of Dwayne Huskins,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement released by the team. “He quickly became a member of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the pitch and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a formidable friend to many. I’m really cracked. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family at this difficult time.” Florida police say Haskins was killed when he was hit by a dump truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. “Sir. Haskins was walking in a restricted access facility (freeway / expressway) for unknown reasons. He was trying to cross the west lanes of the Interstate 595 when there was opposite traffic. Florida Freeway, Lieutenant Indiana Miranda. The crash occurred at 6:37 a.m. near the junction of I-595 and I-95 in Broward County, near Fort Lauderdale. Miranda said that the incident is being investigated by the homicide department of the traffic police and no additional information will be given until the investigation is completed. Statement by Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/hI5QaKzBUq – Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 9, 2022 A former Ohio State star who was the first-round pick by then-Washington Ranchkins in 2019, Haskins was released before the end of his second NFL season and joined the Steelers early last season. He spent the entire 2021 season on the active roster as No. 3 general behind Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph. With the departure of Roethlisberger, Tomlin had told Haskins the chance to win the starting position this season Hailing from Potomac, Md., Haskins was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2018. Last month, Haskins signed a $ 2.54 million tender from the Steelers as a restricted free agent. It was a day inactive for all but one of the games during his tenure with the Steelers – November 14, when Roethlisberger tested positive for Covid-19. At 6 feet-4, 230 pounds, Huskins’s talent was recognizable and improved at a young age. One of the top super-style generals in the country who graduated from The Bullis School, he eventually signed with the State of Ohio. He would end up breaking nearly two dozen school records for a career, season or match / offense, throwing for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns while winning the Big Ten Attack of the Year award in 2018. “Leader. Legend, Forever a Buckeye”, wrote a message posted on the verified Twitter account for Ohio State football. He loved his family, he loved his teammates, he loved the game and he will miss it a lot. Prayers to Dwayne Haskins Family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IoN7nBHga1 – NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 9, 2022 The official NFL draft profile of Huskins next spring showed his “explosive talent in hand”. Roethlisberger, a future Hall of Fame general who was also a first-round pick, would admire the strength of Haskins’ hands immediately after training with him as a teammate for the first time last year. “Its release and throwing mechanisms are some of the nicest I’ve ever seen,” Roethlisberger said in June. “I told him I wish I had that. “I joked that he could throw it in a car wash and it would not rain.” The Hawkins city franchise, Washington, selected him at No. 15 in the general selection three years ago. A statement from the now-defunct Commanders franchise to owners Dan and Tanya Snyder said they were “devastated”. “He was a young man with tremendous potential who had a contagious personality,” Snyders said in a statement. “To say we are cracked is derogatory. Our hearts and prayers are with the members of the Dwayne family and all those who knew and loved him. “ We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dwayne Haskins. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/PsDEx9RI5J – Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 9, 2022 Haskins started just 13 games (going 3-10) with 12 touchdowns and 14 steals in a total of 16 appearances for Washington. One day after making four runs in a loss and twice violating NFL Covid-19 protocols during that season affected by the 2020 coronavirus, Haskins was released with one game remaining on the program. He signed with the Steelers three weeks later, trying to revive his career in Pittsburgh. According to all accounts from Tomlin and below and through teammates, Haskins was well received by the Steelers. The fact that the Steelers offered him a contract offer this spring despite the presence of Rudolph and the newly signed Mitch Trubisky on the roster confirmed that it was a welcome addition to the roster last year. “People lost a great man today,” read a message posted on Steelers star TJ Watt’s verified Twitter account. “When Dwayne first entered the locker room, I could say he was an optimistic guy. He always made people smile, he never took life for granted. Its effect on me will last forever. “ Haskins was in Florida with several other Steelers strikers at the invitation of Trumpiski. “Twisted,” he wrote in a message posted on Rudolph’s verified Twitter account. Hi Steelers Nation, get the latest Pittsburgh Steelers news here. Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review personal writer. You can contact Chris via email at [email protected] or via Twitter.