Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins and his family escaped injury Thursday when a private plane crashed in his backyard in suburban East Aurora, New York, killing the pilot.
Officials say the plane was en route to New York from Michigan when it burst into flames and crashed just feet from Dawkins’ home.
No one else was injured in the crash.
Dawkins is engaged to a nurse, Daiyaana Muhammad, with whom he shares three children.
The eight-year pro from Temple was excluded from training due to the tragedy.
The pilot’s identity has not yet been publicly released.
Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins and his family escaped injury Thursday when a private plane crashed in his yard in suburban Aurora, New York
Buffalo Niagara International Airport issued an alert this morning for a single-engine aircraft experiencing mechanical problems.
That plane, a 1979 Beechcraft A36, took off from Lansing, Michigan en route to White Plains, New York.
According to EAPD Chief Patrick Welch, 911 operators shortly after received a call about a small plane crash near Stewart Court – a remote residential street.
Firefighters arrived on scene and attempted to extinguish the fire from the wreckage.
Dawkins’ status for Sunday’s game against the visiting New England Patriots remains unchanged.
The veteran left tackle was ranked 20th among Pro Football Focus’ top 32 players at the position before the season. This year, however, quarterback Josh Allen gets MVP consideration as Buffalo’s offensive line has dominated opposing defenses.
“Everyone is laughing,” Dawkins recently told reporters about the feel-good atmosphere in the locker room. ‘We don’t laugh just because it’s Christmas. We don’t just smile because we’re winning, but because the energy is good. Josh is the head of our football team. If that’s right, everything is right.’