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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Marshawn Kneeland, who appeared in 18 games with 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 share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away 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 across the sporting world began pouring in on Thursday. After a dedication ceremony at his former high school, Dak Prescott said the loss of Kneeland left him with a heavy heart.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott walks off the field after the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
“I hurt. Heavy, heavy heart today,” Prescott told CBS News Texas. “I hurt for Marshawn, I hurt for his family, I hurt for his girlfriend and I hurt for every single one of my teammates. It’s a pain you don’t wish on anybody.”
Cowboys defensive lineman Solomon Thomas also shared a message in honor of his late teammate.
“Brother Marshawn, I love you. I want you to know that it’s going to be okay. I want you to know that the pain won’t last and how loved you are. I want you to know how bad we wanted you to be,” Thomas wrote on Instagram Friday. “My heart breaks for you and your loved ones. We will lift your spirits every day.”
FOOTBALL COMMUNITY REACTS TO COWBOYS DEFENSIVE END MARSHAWN KNEELAND’S DEATH: ‘GONE TOO SOON’
Thomas co-founded The Defensive Line, an organization that seeks to raise awareness of suicide prevention.
Frisco police said the defensive lineman died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities responded after a driver allegedly eluded police during a chase. Responding officers found a vehicle crashed near the southbound lanes of a local parkway. Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland walks off 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, officers reportedly arrived at Kneeland’s home for a welfare check. A police spokesman told NFL Network that the car chase was underway when officers arrived at 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 has been extended to the Cowboys during this difficult time.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of the Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources,” 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 a season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys will not take the field this weekend due to a planned bye.
