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Father of Dwayne Haskins has bizarre interview with New Jersey reporter
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With the opportunity to talk about his son’s New Jersey roots and growth into one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft, Dwayne Haskins’ father backed away from the media.
Recently, NJ.com’s Ryan Dunleavy reached out to Dwayne Haskins’ Sr. for a senior about the quarterback’s youth. Growing up in New Jersey and with the speculation the former Ohio State quarterback will get drafted by the New York Giants on Thursday night, there’s potential that Haskins will fill the role of “hometown hero.”
But rather than talk about his son’s upbringing, Haskins Sr. gave tremendous pushback to a distinguished journalist. Here are some snippets of the bizarre exchange between Dunleavy and Haskins’ Sr., as published in a recent story from NJ.com:
Dunleavy: It’s huge news for a New Jersey native to be in the mix to be the next Giants quarterback. I found my own sources and I’m going to write a story, but I’d really like to have you or Dwayne Jr. with a voice in the story. Can you give me some time?
Haskins Sr.: I just want to be clear with you: What is the content of this article? What are you looking for? I’m familiar with aspects of reporters. I have an entertainment background. For me, I want the content to be consistent with our family core values. For me to participate in an interview, I want to make sure it’s accurate. What I came to realize throughout this process over the last 10 years, there are sources that are just not credible. They are self-serving and promoting to use Dwayne’s likeness. For me to participate, I need to know more in detail, who did you talk to? Because a two-minute or two-day encounter doesn’t define a relationship or know the core values or our faith and how we operate.
Dunleavy: This is not a negative story. This is something I’ve been working on for months.
Haskins Sr.: I understand. I’m trying to tell you as the main source that actually is involved with the participant, it should be cleared with me. Out of respect. You can’t write something that is not correct.
Dunleavy: Isn’t that what I’m doing right now?
Haskins Sr.: Respectfully, I want to work with you to a certain level. But some of the people you talked to, their stories are not accurate. Even if it’s positive.
Those are just a few responses Haskins Sr. provided for the story. His other responses throughout the interview were just as puzzling.
Perhaps Haskins Sr. wants as little media attention on his son as possible to protect his draft status. Or maybe there’s been a bad experience somewhere down the road. Either way, the interview was strange to say the least.
You can view the full interview from NJ.com.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB