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Marshawn Kneelandwho played 18 games for the Dallas Cowboys since being drafted in 2024, died at age 24 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, it was announced last week.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys announce the tragic passing of Marshawn Kneeland this morning,” the Cowboys said in a statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
In the days following the tragic death, Kneeland’s former and current teammates paid tribute to the late defensive end. Longtime Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones was among those who reflected on the heartbreaking loss.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones watches the national anthem during training camp opening ceremonies at River Ridge Fields in Oxnard, California, July 26, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Frisco police said Kneeland died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jones said news of the death underscores the goal of living “life to the fullest.”
“I think we all have boundless feelings about the people that we love, the people that we work with, and it’s just the time where you recognize that there are no answers,” Jones said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “It makes you want to live life to the fullest.”
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Jones then expressed his appreciation for the NFL teams who honored Kneeland with a moment of silence during Week 10 games. He also stressed the importance of helping others.
“It makes you want to seek the best that we have for each other. And in some way make sense of these moments in terms of what they can mean in helping those who are here on Earth right now. All of those things are very natural, I think, but his death is such a matter of national conscience that it takes a little bit of that light when we think about how we move forward.”
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) stands on the field after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on August 16, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Authorities responded after a driver allegedly eluded police during a chase. Responding officers found a vehicle that had crashed near the southbound lanes of a local parkway.
Earlier in the day, police officers reportedly arrived at Kneeland’s home for a welfare check. A police spokesperson told NFL Network that the vehicle pursuit was underway at the time officers went to Kneeland’s apartment.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) leaves the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 15, 2024. (Tim Heitman/Imagn Images)
The Cowboys did not take the field last weekend due to a planned bye. After learning of Kneeland’s death, the team met virtually. On Monday, the players reported to The Star, their headquarters in Frisco, to begin preparations for a Week 11 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cowboys helmets will feature a special decal beginning with Monday night’s game in Las Vegas and will continue to be displayed throughout the 2024 season. During Weeks 11 and 12, Cowboys players will wear special T-shirts honoring their late teammate.
“From a team standpoint and returning to work, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’ll do it in remembrance of what he represents,” Jones added. “He was very unique in his zest for life, and he was very unique in his passion for the game.”
The Cowboys’ first home game since the Kneeland loss is scheduled for November 23. The team plans to observe a moment of silence in honor of Kneeland.
Jones also noted that Kneeland, 24, is “just getting started.”
“Of course, the saddest thing for someone like me is the fact that he’s only 24. We always think that we’re going to miss him and that the people around him are going to miss him. He was just getting started.”
The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He recorded the first sack of his professional football career in the season opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
