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Who are Dwayne Haskins' parents? Steelers QB, 24, dies after being struck by dump truck

Dwayne Haskins, 24, was trying to cross traffic lanes on foot when he was struck by the vehicle, Florida Highway Patrol believes

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed on Saturday when he was hit by a dump truck in Florida. Florida Highway Patrol believes Haskins, 24, was trying to cross traffic lanes on foot when he was struck by the vehicle. It is unclear why the NFL player was walking along the highway. A traffic homicide investigation has been opened but no further information on the crash has been provided.

Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6.30 am. Interstate 595, the road on which the crash occurred, was shut down for several hours following the crash. “He was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when there was oncoming traffic,” Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Indiana Miranda said.

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Haskins was in South Florida working out with some Steelers teammates — the training was reportedly organized by Mitch Trubisky, former Chicago Beers and Buffalo Bills, to help prepare for the upcoming 2022 season.

The quarterback had signed a one-year deal to remain with the Steelers just three weeks before his death. After a standout 2018 season at Ohio State, Haskins was selected 15th overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2019 draft. Haskins spent two turbulent seasons with Washington before signing in Pittsburgh before last season. He would have turned 25 on May 3.

Who were Dwayne Haskins' parents?

Dwayne Haskins was born on May 3, 1997, in Highland Park, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Kalabrya Gondrezick-Haskins, father Dwayne Haskins Sr, mother Tamara Haskins, and a younger sister, Tamia, with whom he was extremely close.

The NFL star used to be a fullback, but when he turned 10, he started playing in the quarterback position to be “more involved.” Coaches and others who were around Haskins during the younger years of his career said Haskins' father used to train him every weekend. "Dwayne Sr would take his son to a hill near the Rutgers football stadium in New Jersey to run up and down with weights on," said Jim Gay who used to coach Haskins. 

Haskins was described as “very Christian and family-oriented” by Dr Jerry Boarman, the Head of School at Bullis School, where the quarterback attended. Boarman praised Haskins’ parents and said they have provided a strong foundation. 

Haskins was incredibly close to his sister Tamia. “I’m very proud of my brother, and I think he’s accomplished a lot. To be able to see him fulfill his dream is something that’s amazing … Growing up, Dwayne has always been my best friend. Sometimes he was my only friend. It didn’t matter that I was his younger sister,” she had told the Big Ten Network in 2018.

Haskins’ mother, Tamara, had also spoken about the close connection her two children had. She was proud that the two looked up to each other and appreciated their hard-working attitudes and mentalities of one another. “Dwayne is a role model for Tamia. Tamia is also a role model for Dwayne, so they look up to each other because they each have special gifts. They are very dedicated and hardworking and they recognize that in each other,” Tamara said.

Sporting world grieves

Upon hearing the news of Haskins' tragic death, his teammates, coaches, and friends took to social media to pay touching tributes. "I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement released by the team.

"Dwayne was a young man of great intellect who cared deeply about his loved ones & the world," Washington Commanders team president Jason Wright wrote in a tweet. 

Urban Meyer, Haskins' coach at Ohio State, said he was devastated. Meyer was at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center early Saturday when his son-in-law, Ohio State quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis, learned of Haskins' death. "I was with my grandkids and they were running around on the basketball court, and Corey got a phone call," the former Ohio State coach told media. "He said, 'You won't believe this,' and he told me."

Other players from around the NFL also took to Twitter to mourn, sending their condolences to the Haskins family.