Former NFL executive Gil Brandt is now apologizing for his insensitive and rather horrible remarks on Dwayne Haskins' death.
Haskins tragically passed away on Saturday after he was struck by a car in South Florida. Haskins was said to be in the area training with the Pittsburgh Steelers before the heartbreaking accident happened. He was going to be 25 on May 3 as well.
As the news of his death spread, fans, players and the media alike shared their thoughts on the young quarterback. Of course not all comments were good, with Brandt being the prime example of that with his disgusting message for the late signal-caller.
“I hate anytime anybody is killed or anybody dies, but he was a guy that was living to be dead, so to speak. They told him, don’t under any circumstance 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,” the former Dallas Cowboys executive said of the NFL QB after his death.
“… It’s a tragic thing anytime somebody dies, especially when you're 24 years old and you got your whole life ahead of you. But maybe if he stayed in school a year, he wouldn’t do silly things. Jogging on a highway on a road like that leaves it open.”
Here is @Gil_Brandt on NFL radio when asked about Dwayne Haskins.
“He was a guy that was living to be dead.”
“It was always something” with Haskins
“Maybe it he stayed in school a year he wouldn’t do silly things [like] jogging on a highway.” pic.twitter.com/cuZZdqYOck— Pete Damilatis (@PeteDamilatis) April 9, 2022
A lot of people criticized Gil Brandt for his insensitive take. Everyone gets it, some will not fondly remember Dwayne Haskins. However, he certainly could have given more respect to the player, his family and friends who are mourning his shocking passing. Not to mention the horrible nature of his take, seemingly blaming Haskins for his own death and questioning his character.
After the massive backlash he has received, Brandt took to Twitter to apologize for his remarks. He admitted he was careless in his commentary and what he said was truly insensitive.
“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,” the ex-NFL exec and Pro Football Hall of Famer said.
For what it's worth, it is not only Gil Brandt who was hit with a wave of criticisms for his comments on Haskins. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the shocking passing as well, but the way he constructed his tweet lacked compassion and sympathy. Instead of focusing on Haskins the human, he had to highlight his up-and-down career in the NFL before the tragic accident.
Dwayne Haskins, a standout at Ohio State before becoming Washington’s first-round pick and playing in Pittsburgh, died this morning when he got hit by a car in South Florida, per his agent Cedric Saunders. Haskins would have turned 25 years old on May 3.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 9, 2022
Despite the negative commentaries made on Dwayne Haskins' death–like what Brandt and Schefter said–his fellow NFL players showed love to him and were all saddened by the painful news of his passing. For one, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was at a loss for words over the news.
The likes of Kyler Murray, Michael Thomas and Tyreek Hill all shared their prayers and deepest condolences to the family of their fellow NFL player as they try to get through the difficult times.
Dwayne Haskins’ death is a heartbreaking loss not only for the Steelers, but to the whole sports world and the NFL. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Haskins.
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