Dwayne Hakins’ time in Pittsburgh was highlighted by his work in the community – Pittsburgh Steelers Blog

by

PITTSBURGH — The quarterback is sat beside a giant chocolate-brown teddy bear. Dwayne Haskins held a microphone in one hand and balanced a children’s book in the other.

Fulton Elementary students surrounded him, which is a public school located 5 miles away from his home. Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice facility, for Read Across America Day in early March. The students stared at the quarterback, who read aloud before pausing to show the audience the illustrations.

The children eagerly raised a hand to ask Haskins a question. Each child approached Haskins, who was wearing his black and gold No. He wore a black and gold No. 3 jersey over a maroon sweatsuit and was asked a question by the microphone. He answered all students, hugging one even as she wrapped her arms around him.

His promising life ended a month later when a dumptruck struck him while he tried to cross I-595 in South Florida.

Haskins spent 15 years in Pittsburgh. He hoped it would be a place that would give him a second chance and a fresh start. It wasn’t just about jump-starting an NFL career. It was about focusing in on what was truly important to Haskins: being good teammates, finding his voice as an NFL leader, being a positive influence within the community, and growing into the person that he wanted.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot,” Haskins said during training camp last August. “Just being a mature person, it takes a lot of work. It’s very easy to go back to doing easy stuff as a kid. I must try to be an adult and lead men. I feel like earning respect is something I’ve been trying to do since I got here as far as getting here early, staying late, meeting with coaches, watching more film, spending time throwing with guys, talking to guys at lunch I don’t normally talk to every day. Small things like that where I can just help make the guys around me play for me.”

Haskins’ impact in Pittsburgh can’t be measured in a stat line. He was only active for one game, and never took a snap. But even if he had, that’s not what was important. That’s not what defined his time as a Steeler.

Instead, it’s what he did away from the field.

Haskins was a fixture at Steelers’ community outreach events, volunteering his time to help others in his new home. Haskins volunteered his time to distribute hygiene kits, school supplies, and backpacks at a Pittsburgh back-to-school program. Through the Salvation Army’s Project Bundle Up initiative a couple of months later, Haskins and eight teammates took a group of local kids shopping for winter gear at Dick’s Sporting Goods. In December, he delivered Christmas gifts to Pittsburgh and Convoy of Hope for Huddle For the Holidays.

“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,” coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement after Haskins’ death. “Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many.”

Haskins, at 24 years of age, still had much to live. However, he was able to experience and live so many things in such a short time.

He was a childhood football star with extraordinary natural talent. He eventually landed at Ohio State and broke many long-held records. Haskins, a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, was then drafted by the Washington Commanders in the first round. After a difficult introduction to the NFL, Haskins was offered a second chance at Pittsburgh.

Haskins was not perfect. There were many layers to his personality. He was a person who wanted to make people happy and help others in his community.

Arlington Elementary students heard Haskins read from “You Can Do It!”Tony Dungy, former NFL coach, wrote “You Can Do It!” for children. In it, Dungy’s little brother Linden is having a tough day in third grade. The youngest in the Dungy family, Linden is frustrated because he hasn’t found his special talent yet.

Haskins told Linden all that Linden knows about Haskins is that he wants to make others happy. With some assistance, Linden realizes that he is capable of doing anything.

Haskins, like Linden was still trying to figure things out for his own. However, Haskins worked hard to make others happy while he made the most out of his second chance. Unfortunately, his journey came to an abrupt halt on a Florida highway.

“I still think I’ve got a ways to go,” Haskins said in August. “But as far as being comfortable in my own skin, I feel like I’ve done that. Not only learning the coaches but also the players, the weight room coaches and the scouts. Because being a quarterback, it’s very important working with guys around you, getting them to believe in you.

“From where I’m at now to where I was when I first got here, I just feel like I’m growing into who I want to be.”


Leave a Comment