Hall of Famer Gil Brandt under fire for horribly insensitive Dwayne Haskins comments
Dwayne Haskins tragically lost his life on Saturday morning after he was struck by a vehicle. Hall of Famer Gil Brandt is facing criticism for his tasteless comments about Haskins “living to die.”
The football community is in mourning after the tragic death of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
The former Ohio State record-breaking quarterback who was later a first-round pick by Washington was struck by a dump truck in Florida where he was training with Steelers teammates.
An outpouring of thoughts, prayers, love, remembrance and grief was seen on social media after the news spread late Saturday morning. The Steelers, Commanders, Ohio State, teammates — past and present — and a host of fans and media were heartbroken, devastated and lost for words.
However, the reaction from Hall of Famer Gil Brandt is drawing all the wrong kind of attention.
Gil Brandt has disgusting comments about death of Dwayne Haskins
Here is @Gil_Brandt on NFL radio when asked about Dwayne Haskins.
— Pete Damilatis (@PeteDamilatis) April 9, 2022
“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
Brandt was on radio and said, “Haskins was living to die” and suggested if he only stayed in school longer this tragedy wouldn’t have happened.
It’s incredibly offensive to say this about someone’s son, brother, husband, friend and teammate.
Rightfully so, Haskins’ teammates, NFL players and media condemned the comments from Brandt.
NFL players react to Gil Brandt’s insensitive comments on Dwayne Haskins
Fellow Ohio State alums, Michael Thomas and Darron Lee on Brandt’s gross comments.
Did he say that DH was living to die somebody has to say something about this @NFL https://t.co/7ZqeqsZYto
— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) April 9, 2022
Athletes this the shit I’m talking about right here… Hey @NFL @nflcommish y’all have to check this…
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 9, 2022
This is beyond unacceptable @Gil_Brandt .. https://t.co/DXJbLZpy89
Washington Commenders Jason Wright replied to a tweet from Mina Kimes asking how this could even be a thought someone would say.
Bc there is a pervasive, trite & false narrative about athletes, especially NFL and NBA 👀, that great athleticism cannot come w/ great intellect & character. It subjugates men, pushing the idea that they are worth nothing apart from the arena. It has deep roots & it’s harmful.
— Jason Wright (@whoisjwright) April 9, 2022
Cam Heyward played with Haskins on the Steelers and offered a succinct message.
@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
Robert Griffin III, Louis Riddick and more are shocked at the lack of sympathy
Where is the empathy for Dwayne and his family?
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/LRiddickESPN/status/151284058618057933
2https://twitter.com/jasoncabinda/status/1512847855760949256
You’re wild @Gil_Brandt disrespectful all of it.
— Charles Omenihu (@charless_94) April 9, 2022
Gil Brandt is 90.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 9, 2022
This will be his last media interview. https://t.co/hTEoPFMdr2
As Darren Rovell said in the above tweet, the 90-year-old Brandt likely just gave his final interview.