The Pittsburgh Steelers as a whole, SteelerNation, and fans of many different organizations across the NFL in general mourned the loss of Dwayne Haskins who was tragically struck and killed by a dump truck on April 9th. The Steelers quarterback had ran out of gas while driving near Boca Raton, Florida and attempted to cross the interstate before tragedy struck.
Last Friday the Steelers organization, and his wife put on a funeral for Haskins in Pittsburgh. It was a beautiful ceremony that was open to the public for everyone to pay their respects. Coach Mike Tomlin, and general manger Kevin Colbert were in attendance.
Pittsburgh Steelers NFL football team President Art Rooney II, left, General Manger Kevin Colbert, center, and head coach Mike Tomlin, right, attend the memorial service for Dwayne Haskins, Friday, April 22, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
On Monday the Steelers held their annual pre-draft press conference and the first question that came out of a reporters mouth was the wrong one. We're not sure who the reporter was that asked the question, but Tomlin answered it appropriately.
The question:
"When you're looking at the quarterback position now, obviously with the tragedy that happened now with Haskins, does that effect your decision, you and Kevin going in whether you're going to draft a QB maybe a little bit higher or any earlier in the draft?"
The answer:
"In regards to Dwayne our energies have been on paying proper respects, and supporting his family. We haven't approached it from a business standpoint or a business decision making standpoint. We just feel like that's the appropriate mindset for us to have as we sit here today."
Call me crazy, but wouldn't of it been just as easy to ask the same question without mentioning Haskins at all? Furthermore, don't we already know the answer to the question. The Steelers weren't going to not draft a quarterback because of Haskins. They put in tons of work on the position before his death.
As always, Coach Tomlin answered the question with a sharply put response. The only thing the Steelers have been concerned with in regards to Haskins has been helping his family out, and helping to honor his name since his passing.
There was never going to be a different response from Tomlin, and it's sad that he even had to answer that question. Tomlin knew Haskins on a personal level. There is no doubt that he himself is still grieving, and there's just no excuse for that question to be offered.
From SteelersWorld
