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This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Marshawn Kneeland, who played 18 games for the Dallas Cowboys since his 2024 NFL rookie season, died at the age of 24 on Thursday, the team announced.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys announce the tragic passing of Marshawn Kneeland this morning,” the team 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.”
Tributes from the sports world began pouring in on Thursday. After a dedication ceremony at his old high school, Dak Prescott said losing Kneeland left him with a heavy heart.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott leaves the field after the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas on September 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
“I’m hurting. Heavy, heavy heart today,” Prescott told CBS News Texas. “I hurt Marshawn, I hurt his family, I hurt his girlfriend, and I hurt every single one of my teammates. That’s a pain you don’t wish on anyone.”
Cowboys defensive lineman Solomon Thomas also shared a message in honor of his late teammate.
“Brother Marshawn, I love you. I wish you knew everything was going to be okay. I wish you knew the pain wouldn’t last and how much you are loved. I wish you knew how much we wanted you to stay,” Thomas posted on Instagram Friday. “My heart breaks for you and your loved ones. We will lift your spirits every day.”
FOOTBALL COMMUNITY REACTS TO DEATH OF COWBOYS DEFENSIVE AID MARSHAWN KNEELAND: ‘GONE TOO EARLY’
Thomas co-founded The Defensive Line, an organization that seeks to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
Frisco police said the defensive lineman died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities responded after a driver allegedly eluded police during a chase. Responding officers found a crashed vehicle near the southbound lanes of a local parkway. Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland leaves the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 15, 2024. (Tim Heitman/Imagn Images)
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 after a game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on August 16, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
In a statement, the NFL confirmed that support had been provided to the Cowboys during this difficult time.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Marshawn Kneeland of the Cowboys. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, his family, friends and teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and offered support and advice,” the statement said.
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 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys will not take the field this weekend due to a planned bye.
