Todd Heap, a former stand-out tight end who played 12 seasons in the NFL, is now living through the worst possible nightmare for any parent.
The Mesa Police Department in Arizona has confirmed that Heap accidentally struck and killed his three-year-old daughter with his truck on Friday.
According to official police records, Heap said the child was in her driveway when he went to move a truck and hit her just before 4 p.m. local time.
Authorities told an ABC affiliate that there were no signs of impairment or suspicious circumstances behind the incident.
It sounds at the moment like it was just an awful, awful accident.
The Mesa Police Department told Fox 10 Phoenix that Heap’s daughter was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.
Prior to being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, Heap attended Mountain View High School in Mesa and then went on to play at Arizona State University.
He spent 10 seasons with the Ravens and then joined the Cardinals in 2011 and 2012 before injury forced his retirement about halfway through his second season with Arizona.
Heap’s daughter was the youngest of his five children with wife Ashley.
The ex-All Pro is yet to comment on the situation, but we cannot imagine what he is going through.
In 2014, Heap was inducted in the Baltimore Ring of Honor, the highest distinction the Ravens can give to a player.
He finished his career with 499 receptions, 5,869 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Upon learning of this sad news, various members of the NFL family reached out to Heap and asked for prayers via social media.
Here’s a look at what many of them have said:
We join everyone who has reached out to Heap to offer their thoughts and condolences.
Our hearts go out to him and his loved ones during this impossible time.
May his beloved toddler rest in peace.