This morning we got tragic news out of the sports world as we learned that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins passed away after getting hit by a dump truck on Interstate 595 in Boca Raton, Florida.
The sudden loss has shaken the NFL to its core, as Haskins was only 24 and still had so much life and potential ahead of him.
But one former NFL name had some rather harsh words on the death of Haskins, and is taking some major heat for it.
Gil Brandt, who served as a scout and Vice President of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019, spoke about Haskins’ death on SiriusXM’s NFL radio show, and had some pretty insensitive words about the quarterback:
“I hate any time 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 circumstances leave school early. You just don’t have the work habits, you don’t have this, you don’t have that.’
What’d he do? He left school early.
I always can remember this. We invited players to the draft, and he was one of the players we invited to the draft. And we were told ‘No, we’re going to have our own party.’ His own party was a party at the bowling alley, charging $50 to get into the bowling alley for his party.
It was always something, you know? It’s one of those things, ‘I’m never offsides but they keep calling me for offsides.’
It’s a tragic thing, any time anybody dies it’s tragic, especially when you’re 24 years old and you got your whole life ahead of you. But maybe if he’d stayed in school a year he wouldn’t do silly things.
I mean when you’re jogging on the highway, on a road like that, that leaves it open because I’ll tell you, a guy has two drinks and he’s just a little bit to the right side of the road and gets hit and killed, it’s easy to happen.”
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
Unbelievable.
Needless to say, Brandt is receiving a ton of backlash for his comments:
Get this stupid fuck @Gil_Brandt off the radio. Holy shit… https://t.co/ekr31xV0aC
— Tom Crabtree (@itsCrab) April 9, 2022
Gil Brandt's comments about Dwayne Haskins were obviously unacceptable. I would add that Gil should not be doing live radio interviews anymore. He is 90 years old and in ailing health and there are some people around him who have put their own interests ahead of his.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) April 9, 2022
I really hope you didn’t mean what you said about Dwayne @Gil_Brandt
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 9, 2022
What Adam Schefter tweeted was very insensitive but I don’t believe he had any intent to disrespect Haskins, Gil Brandt on the other hand needs to be dealt with, the way he views athletes is sickening.
— Jamal (@FinessedBuckets) April 9, 2022
@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
@Gil_Brandt you are soulless and an embarrassment. Go away.
— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) April 9, 2022
Gil Brandt's comments about Dwayne Haskins were disgusting and he shouldn’t be allowed to on the NFL Radio station again. Yes, I know he’s 90 years old but that doesn’t give him a pass in this case.
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) April 9, 2022
Athletes this the shit I’m talking about right here… Hey @NFL @nflcommish y’all have to check this…
This is beyond unacceptable @Gil_Brandt .. https://t.co/DXJbLZpy89
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 9, 2022
Rest in peace, Dwayne.
UPDATE:
Gil has since tweeted an apology for what he called a careless and insensitive reaction:
“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.”
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.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 9, 2022
