Sports

Dwayne Haskins' Parents Don't Attend Pittsburgh Memorial Service

Many Steelers were spotted at the service Friday for the late Steelers quarterback. His parents said beforehand they would not attend.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) warms up before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh.Haskins was killed in an auto accident Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Florida.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) warms up before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh.Haskins was killed in an auto accident Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Florida. (Gene Puskar/AP)

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers organization was well-represented at Friday's memorial service for Dwayne Haskins, their late quarterback. His parents, however, did not attend.

Dwayne Haskins Sr. and Tamara Haskins told USA Today Sports before the service that they have never met or spoken to his widow, Kalabrya Haskins. "We we didn’t want our son’s funeral service to be the place we met her for the first time,” the parents said in a joint statement.

Haskins' family will hold a memorial Saturday in his native New Jersey. Another service will be held Sunday at his former high school in Potomac, Maryland.

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The Pittsburgh service for Haskins, who died April 9 when he was struck by a dump truck on a Florida highway while trying to get gas, was held at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church on Pittsburgh's North Side - not more than a five-minute drive from Heinz Field.

Steelers who attended the service included owner Art Rooney II, coach Mike Tomlin, defensive star Cameron Heyward, offensive coordinator Matt Canada, former linebacker Ryan Shazier and many others.

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Also attending were representatives from Ohio State, where Haskins played college football. Athletic director Gene Smith, former head coach Urban Meyer and current head coach Ryan Day were there, TMZ Sports reported.

Tomlin and Kalabyra Haskins were among those who spoke during the service.

Following the service, Haskins' casket was placed outside of the church to allow family, friends and teammates the opportunity to say a final goodbye.

Kalabrya Haskins said in a statement before the service that she is grateful "to every loving soul who has supported our family during this arduous time of loss.

"The overwhelming thoughts and prayers have been fuel for our emotional depletion. ... The meaningful touches and impact Dwayne made as husband, son, brother, teammate and friend is a
timeless treasure imbued in our hearts."

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