NFL team Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died Thursday morning aged 24, the team said in a statement.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the franchise 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 announcement read.
Kneeland was in his second season with the team after being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in seven games this season, starting three and tallying 12 tackles with one sack.
On Monday, in the Cowboys’ last game before the bye week, Kneeland scored his first career touchdown after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kneeland spent the majority of his life in western Michigan. He played linebacker and tight end at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, before playing at Western Michigan University, where he earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2023.
Kneeland is the first active NFL player to die midseason since 2018, when Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson was killed after being struck by a car. In 2012, Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car accident shortly after being signed to the team’s practice squad
