Teammates took to social media to react in shock, offer prayers and pay tribute to Dwayne Haskins, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback who died Saturday morning after an apparent auto accident on a highway in south Florida.
Haskins was 24.
“Those who knew him knew how special he was,” wrote a message posted to the verified Twitter account of linebacker Alex Highsmith. “Heartbreaking, RIP Dwayne. Lord be with his family.”
Doesn’t seem real. Those who knew him knew how special he was. Heartbreaking, RIP Dwayne. Lord be with his family
— Alex Highsmith (@highsmith34) April 9, 2022
Defensive captain Cameron Heyward had similar sentiments.
“Dwayne meant so much to so many people,” he wrote.
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
Haskins was known as a friendly and outgoing type whose personality might have been dwarfed only by his prodigious arm strength. Among scores of messages posted to verified social-media accounts of Steelers players was one from team most valuable player T.J. Watt, who noted that Haskins “was always making people smile.”
The world lost a great person today. When Dwayne first walked into the locker room I could tell he was an upbeat guy. He was always making people smile, never taking life for granted. His impact on me will last a forever.
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) April 9, 2022
Offensive lineman Chuks Okorafor reacted via grief, asking on an Instagram story, “God this one makes no sense…. Won’t be the same (without) you. R.I.P. Young King.”
Haskins had the nickname “Simba” because of his love of the movie “The Lion King” as a youth.
“God you called him home way too young,” Okorafor wrote on Twitter.
God you called him home way too young , I’ll never forget you brotha and the talks we had . You’ll live on forever . May your family find peace . 3️⃣????????
— Chukwuma Okorafor (@Chuks__76) April 9, 2022
The official account for the NFL Players Association offered prayers to Haskins’ family while stating: “He loved his family, he loved his teammates, he loved the game and he will be greatly missed.”
The player who arguably spent the most professional time at the Steelers’ UPMC Rooney Sports Complex facility with Haskins was succinct in publicly expressing his sorrow. “Devastated,” wrote quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Devastated.
— Mason Rudolph (@Rudolph2Mason) April 9, 2022
Among teammates who posted Instagram stories paying tribute were wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who accompanied by a photo of he and Haskins at practice wrote, “I love you bra! You had so much ahead of you!”
Cornerback Cameron Sutton wrote, accompanied by a heart and prayer hands, “I am in such a state of shock. Such a disbelief state. It’s an ugly world, man.”
Wrote defensive lineman Tyson Alualu: “So crazy. Love you bro… Def gonna miss you.”
Such heartbreaking news. Gone way too soon. Rest In Peace Dwayne ????????
— Derek Watt (@DerekWatt34) April 9, 2022
While there was anguish in the loss and tribute to Haskins’ life, some players reacted in anger because of the nature by which many of them perhaps first learned of the news. ESPN reporter Adam Schefter’s tweet was the first widespread distribution of word of Haskins’ death.
The initial wording of one of Schefter’s early messages termed Haskins as “a standout at Ohio State before struggling to catch on with Washington and Pittsburgh in the NFL.”
Many players across the league, along with fans and other observers, criticized Schefter for including the word “struggling.” (Haskins was cut less than two years into his career and was only 3-10 as an NFL starting quarterback). Steelers safety Marcus Allen voiced his opinion.
Why include that bulshit in your tweet !!? Y’all reporters ain’t got no heart https://t.co/akmiJJ4M1W
— Marcus Allen (@Chico_Hndrxx) April 9, 2022
Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson retweeted multiple messages from others criticizing Schefter, and he also posted multiple messages of his own thoughts of grief. One read, “Think before you spit venom out there on things that don’t matter cause you never know what tomorrow holds.”
I hope this type of things shows you fans that players are people too. With families , hopes , dreams and lives outside of football. Think before you spit venom out there on things that don’t matter cause you never know what tomorrow holds . Life’s too short????????
— ????????DuragDondada???????? (@kdd7696) April 9, 2022
A pair of area natives who play in the NFL reacted with sadness and sorrow while making an appearance at a fundraiser Saturday at South Allegheny High School.
Former Clairton High School and Pitt star Tyler Boyd said he saw Haskins a few weeks ago at party hosted by former Pitt and Central Catholic standout Damar Hamlin.
“It’s a tragedy,” said Boyd, a receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. “I hate to see this. Life is short, man. You’ve got to enjoy your life every day.”
Boyd and former Steelers and Penn State tight end Jesse James were on hand on behalf of the Tony Strong Foundation. James, a South Allegheny alumnus who played for the Chicago Bears last season, called word of Haskins’ death “really tough news.”
“It’s very sad,” James said. “You just never know what will happen in life. You have to be in the mindset to live every day to the fullest.”
A former Penn State star, Allen encapsulated the overall mood by writing, “Rest In Peace Dwayne… this world don’t make no sense.”
Rest In Peace Dwayne smfh this world don’t make no sense ????????♂️❤️????
— Marcus Allen (@Chico_Hndrxx) April 9, 2022
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Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism