According to The Arizona Republic, police in Mesa, Arizona, have confirmed that Todd Heap was driving the truck that struck and killed his youngest daughter.
People sent their love to ex-NFL player Todd and his household following the death of his 3-year-old child. As per authorities, the girl was run over and later called dead at a hospital.
However, Heap performed for Baltimore for 10 seasons after being drafted in the 1st round out of Arizona in 2001. He retired with 42 career touchdowns after playing 2 seasons with Arizona.
The “Overwhelming Tragedy”
The Baltimore Ravens, Heap’s ex-team, described Heap’s daughter’s accident as an “overwhelming tragedy” and said they were devastated by the news.
On Twitter, Jay, an ex-mate of Heap on the Arizona Cardinals, expressed his sadness and described Heap as “one of the nicest people I have ever met. He is a man who lives for his family.”
Additionally, in 2014, the Baltimore Ravens added Heap to their Ring of Honor. The group released a statement expressing their sympathy for Todd. They believe their faith and support from loved ones will help them through this time.
Todd Heap’s family has a long history in the Mormon faith. He and his wife founded a charity in 2007 to aid sick and underprivileged children.
They made the Heap Pediatric Center at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore in 2010. He expressed that spending time with his kids and wife and engaging in family activities brings him joy.
The Cardinals Expressed Condolences Over The Passing Of Heap’s Daughter
The Cardinals issued a statement expressing their condolences over the passing of Heap’s daughter. They stated that no family should have to endure such a tragic loss.
Heap, who led his school football group to 2 state championships, was a standout at Arizona before leaving for the NFL. Both the Baltimore and Arizona communities regarded him.
Arizona State also expressed its sympathy for the Heap family. Todd Heap holds the record for the most touchdown receptions in the Ravens’ history and ranks second in receptions and receiving.
Heap’s time with the Ravens spanned until 2010. He joined the Cardinals in 2011 and retired in 2013 after playing two games during the previous season.
The Houston Texans’ star, JJ Watt, expressed sympathy towards Todd Heap and his family through a tweet.
The Investigation Of The Accident
The Associated attempted to contact Todd Heap via phone on Saturday but was unsuccessful. The Mesa police detective, Steve Berry, stated there were no problems or impairments in investigating the accident.
The Maricopa County Medical Office has not yet determined the cause of death. As per the kid safety group KidsandCars.org, drivers failing to notice a child in front of their car has resulted in 800 fatalities in the last 20 years.
The organization’s president, Janette Fennell, attributed these tragedies to blind spots at the vehicles’ front and back.
