NFL insider Adam Schefter is getting backlash for the tweet he posted on Saturday while reporting on the death of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
“Dwayne Haskins, a standout at Ohio State before struggling to catch on with Washington and Pittsburgh in the NFL, died this morning when he got hit by a car in South Florida, per his agent Cedrick Saunders. Haskins would have turned 25 years old on May 3,” Schefter said in the tweet, which is now deleted.
Fans immediately expressed outrage about Schefter’s decision to mention that Haskins struggled in the NFL.
You really had to mention Haskins as a struggling QB the day he dies in a car accident? @AdamSchefter smh pic.twitter.com/AJBmZ4zXun
— Sage Alvarez (@SagED_UP) April 9, 2022
A simple question for @AdamSchefter – when you die, how would you want the media of that era to announce news of your passing?
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) April 10, 2022
You a POS for this one @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/z480SXt3PS
— Nerdo Wick (@OfficiallyIce) April 9, 2022
Has Adam Schefter apologized for degrading a man who can’t speak for himself and was training to be better the day before?@Lj_era8 @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/QSJzhZ5iLj
— Tua Owns NE (@LordTua4L) April 10, 2022
ESPN needs to suspend Adam Schefter.
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) April 9, 2022
NFL veteran Dez Bryant said Schefter’s tweet proves how people forget that athletes are humans.
Athletes for the record.. the shit @AdamSchefter wrote that’s how a lot of people view us.. we ain’t shit but entertainment!.. if you let 1 treat you with disrespect the rest will follow…
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 9, 2022
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson also called out the NFL reporter.
@AdamSchefter you lame asf all around grown ass man and can look in the mirror and smile at yourself
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 9, 2022
Several people said they were autoblocked by Schefter while calling him out for his tweet.
Hey @Twitter, what the fuck is THIS shit?!#AutoBlock#AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/gtOuodly0v
— Hank Scorpio (@WestsideNiner) April 10, 2022
The irony of Twitter’s autoblock feature is the “Remember The Human” language.
The next time @AdamSchefter does that on his initial breaking of news will be the first. Hoping for progress. pic.twitter.com/DLlhEhAuJn
— Steve Frederick (@SteveFrederick_) April 9, 2022
According to ESPN, Haskins was walking on a South Florida highway when he was hit by a dump truck early Saturday morning. The 24-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
“He was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when there was oncoming traffic,” Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Indiana Miranda said in an emailed statement to ESPN.
Haskins established himself as a standout player during the 2018 season at Ohio State. The quarterback, who was selected 15th overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2019 draft, spent two seasons with the team before signing with Pittsburgh.
“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers coach Mike 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. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time.”