ESPN NFL Insider Takes Heat For Dwayne Haskins Tweet

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter is under fire for a now-deleted tweet announcing the death of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

Schefter reported the news on Twitter early Saturday morning, saying “Dwayne Haskins, a standout at Ohio State before struggling to catch on with Washington and Pittsburgh in the NFL, died this morning when he got hit by a car in South Florida, per his agent Cedric Saunders,” Schefter wrote on Twitter. “Haskins would have turned 25 years old on May 3.”

“He was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when there was oncoming traffic,” Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Indiana Miranda said. According to ESPN, Haskins “was struck by a dump truck while he was walking on a South Florida highway,” and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Social media quickly jumped on Schefter’s tweet, with multiple former and current NFL players criticizing the ESPN reporter for his choice of words.

“How about ‘Dwayne Haskins, son, husband, buckeye brother, friend, beloved teammate has passed away’ TF his career ups and downs have to do with him unfortunately losing his life STFU!” former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones posted to Twitter. “Let his family & friends grieve instead of throwing shade. Praying for the Haskins family!!”

How about “ Dwayne Haskins, son, husband, buckeye brother, friend, beloved teammate has passed away” TF his career ups and downs have to do with him unfortunately losing his life🤦🏾‍♂️ STFU! Let his family & friends grieve instead of throwing shade. Praying for the Haskins family!! pic.twitter.com/gb1D9KcgCQ

— Cardale Jones (@CJ1two) April 9, 2022

12-year NFL veteran cornerback Joe Haden told Schefter to “do better.”

“You gotta do better [Adam Schefter] !!! This is wild!! A MAN lost his life!!” Haden posted.

You gotta do better @AdamSchefter !!! This is wild!! A MAN lost his life!! https://t.co/BowSkkLw66

— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) April 9, 2022

2019 NFL MVP and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson also weighed in.

@AdamSchefter you lame asf all around grown ass man and can look in the mirror and smile at yourself

— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 9, 2022

Jason Whitlock of The Blaze defended Schefter’s tweet, saying the ESPN reporter “did not denigrate Dwayne Haskins.”

Adam Schefter did not denigrate Dwayne Haskins. Not at all. https://t.co/z9eAVVrHJP

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) April 9, 2022

The reason why Haskins was attempting to cross the highway is still unclear.

Haskins was drafted by the now Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft after a standout 2018 season at Ohio State. He struggled in his first two NFL seasons, starting just 13 games for Washington. Haskins signed with the Steelers prior to the 2021 season.

“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time,” the statement continued.

Statement from Head Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/hI5QaKzBUq

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 9, 2022

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, who coached Haskins in college, put out a statement on Twitter following the news.

“The loss of Dwayne is beyond tragic and extremely difficult to process,” Day said. “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.”

Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].

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