Former NFL player Todd Heap was involved in a tragic accident
Former NFL player Todd Heap was involved in a tragic accident where he ran over and killed his 3-year-old daughter Wikipedia

Messages of support have poured in for the family of an NFL player whose three-year-old daughter was run over and killed in the driveway of their Phoenix home.

American football player Todd Heap was moving his truck when he accidentally hit his daughter – who was rushed to hospital but died from her injuries.

The tragic accident has seen messages of support sent to Heap and his family from across the US – including from his former sports teams and NFL players.

In a statement seen by the Associated Press, Arizona State said: "The Heaps have contributed so much to the Arizona State Sun Devils, Baltimore Ravens, and Arizona Cardinals communities, and we hope their family, friends and our respective communities can provide them with love and support as they work through this unspeakable heartbreak."

And Heap's longtime team The Baltimore Ravens added: ""We cannot imagine the heartbreak and sorrow Todd and Ashley's family feels right now.

"We believe their deep faith and tremendous support from friends and family will help them through this unimaginable time."

Mormon Heap had previously spoken about his four children in interviews, stating in a 2015 talk with the Ravens' senior vice president Kevin Byrne: "I just got done jumping on the trampoline with my 2-year-old daughter and it's hard to get a bigger smile than that. I took all three of my boys golfing this morning. That was a lot of fun. (My wife) Ashley makes me smile every day. Family and all of the events we do, that regularly makes me smile."

Police are investigating the tragedy but said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.