Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died early Thursday morning in what police described as an apparent suicide. He was 24.
According to Frisco, Texas police, officers responded to a call late Wednesday night after Kneeland’s vehicle evaded a Department of Public Safety (DPS) pursuit and later crashed near Warren Parkway. The defensive end reportedly fled on foot before being found hours later with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities said the search for Kneeland involved K-9 and drone units, and during the operation, officers received information suggesting he had “expressed suicidal ideations.” The Dallas Cowboys confirmed his death in a statement Thursday but did not specify a cause.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
The Cowboys organization said it has made counseling services available to players, coaches, and staff. The team is currently on its bye week and is not scheduled to resume practice until Monday.
Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, expressed deep grief, describing the loss as “a pain I can hardly put into words.” “I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Perzley said. “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field.”
“My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him,” Perzley added. “I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. Please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
The NFL said in a statement it was “deeply saddened” by Kneeland’s death and has “offered support and counseling resources” to the Cowboys. Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor, who coached Kneeland in college, called the loss “absolutely heartbreaking.”
“Marshawn was so much more than an incredible football player, he was a remarkable young man who meant so much to our program and to me personally,” Taylor said. “His leadership, energy, and smile were infectious. Having coached him during my first season here, we developed a special bond that went far beyond football.”
Kneeland, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was selected 56th overall by the Cowboys out of Western Michigan. He had scored his first career touchdown on a blocked punt recovery during Monday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
In his short career, Kneeland recorded 15 tackles, one sack, and six quarterback hurries this season after missing two games due to injury. As a rookie, he tallied 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback pressures.
Former Cowboys assistant coach Greg Ellis, who mentored Kneeland, described him as “the kind of player every coach hopes for.” Ellis said, “He epitomized what you look for in a football player. He played hard, was eager to learn, and was always respectful. He wanted extra help with things—that was him, always putting in extra effort.”
Ellis, a former first-round pick himself, added, “I wish I could’ve done more to help him in other areas of his life.”
Before joining the NFL, Kneeland was a standout at Godwin Heights High School in Michigan, setting records for tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. At Western Michigan, he played 38 games and finished his college career with 27.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
His death marks another tragedy for the Cowboys, who have faced similar heartbreaks in recent years. In 2012, linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car crash involving teammate Josh Brent, and in 2020, strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died of a medical emergency before a game.
Kneeland’s death has reignited conversations about mental health among athletes, a topic gaining increasing attention across professional sports.
