'Disgraceful': Uproar over ex-Cowboys exec Gil Brandt's remarks on Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins' death
Former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt sparked outrage following his controversial comments about the tragic death of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and former Ohio State star Dwayne Haskins.
The 24-year-old NFL sensation was killed Saturday morning, April 9, after being hit by a dump truck on Interstate 595 near Fort Lauderdale. Brandt was asked to comment on the tragedy during an appearance on Sirius XM NFL Radio when he made several inappropriate remarks on the subject. He later apologized for his "poor choice of words."
RELATED ARTICLES
Who is Kalabrya Gondrezick? Dwayne Haskins’ wife allegedly knocked his tooth out in Las Vegas
How did Lionel James die? Record holder NFL icon, 59, was nicknamed ‘Little Train’
"I hate anytime anybody is killed or anybody dies. But he was a guy that was living to be dead," Brandt told NFL radio co-hosts Vic Carucci and Dan Leberfeld. "They told him don't, under any circumstances, leave school early. You just don't have the work habits. You don't have this, you don't have that. What did he do? [He] left school early...Maybe if he stayed in school a year he wouldn't do silly things ... [like] jogging on a highway," he added.
Brandt, who was the vice president of player personnel in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988, sparked widespread condemnation for his comments.
"Remove Gil Brandt from the Hall of Fame. That's inexcusable," linebacker Darron Lee tweeted.
"@Gil_Brandt I do not know or will assume to but please don’t speak on my friend," Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward chimed in. "He will be missed and your words are disgraceful. We are all hurting right now."
"Gil Brandt's comments about Dwayne Haskins were obviously unacceptable," ProFootballTalk author Michael David Smith wrote. "I would add that Gil should not be doing live radio interviews anymore. He is 90 years old and in ailing health and there are some people around him who have put their own interests ahead of his."
"What Gil Brandt said about Dwayne Haskins is reminiscent of what Mike Wilbon and Colin Cowherd said about Sean Taylor when he died," The Hill reporter Olafimihan Oshin added. "Sports media has to do better man."
"Gil Brandt's comments about Dwayne Haskins were disgusting and he shouldn’t be allowed to be on the NFL Radio station again. Yes, I know he’s 90 years old but that doesn’t give him a pass in this case," sportswriter Antwan Staley offered.
@Gil_Brandt I do not know or will assume to but please don’t speak on my friend. He will be missed and your words are disgraceful. We are all hurting right now
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 9, 2022
Gil Brandt's comments about Dwayne Haskins were obviously unacceptable. I would add that Gil should not be doing live radio interviews anymore. He is 90 years old and in ailing health and there are some people around him who have put their own interests ahead of his.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) April 9, 2022
What Gil Brandt said about Dwayne Haskins is reminiscent to what Mike Wilbon and Colin Cowherd said about Sean Taylor when he died. Sports media has to do better man.
— Olafimihan Oshin (@olafimihanoshin) April 9, 2022
Gil Brandt's comments about Dwayne Haskins were disgusting and he shouldn’t be allowed to on the NFL Radio station again. Yes, I know he’s 90 years old but that doesn’t give him a pass in this case.
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) April 9, 2022
Following the backlash, Brandt apologized for his remarks on Twitter. "This morning while learning of Dwayne Haskins' passing, I reacted carelessly and insensitively on a radio interview," he wrote, adding, "I want to apologize to Mr. Haskins' family and anyone who heard my poor choice of words. I truly apologize. My heart goes out to his family at this difficult time."
This morning while learning of Dwayne Haskins’ passing, I reacted carelessly and insensitively on a radio interview. I want to apologize to Mr. Haskins’ family and anyone who heard my poor choice of words. I truly apologize. My heart goes out to his family at this difficult time.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 9, 2022
State troopers confirmed to the Daily Mail how 24-year-old Haskins was hit by a dump truck on Interstate 595 in Fort Lauderdale early Saturday morning while trying to cross multiple lanes of traffic. The young athlete was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6.30 am. Traffic Homicide investigators are probing the crash, but it remains unclear at the time of publication why the NFL star was walking along the highway.
Reports of Haskins' passing were confirmed by Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who offered his condolences to the player's loved ones. "I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins," 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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kalabrya and his entire family during this difficult time."
