Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24. His death comes just days after he scored his first NFL touchdown on Monday Night Football.
Editor’s Note: This article discusses suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Visit the National Crisis Line website or call or text 988 for immediate support.
Kneeland died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to ESPN. The outlet spoke to Frisco, Texas, police, who stated that they assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety in locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit on Wednesday night.
Toopers later found Kneeland’s vehicle crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. ESPN reports Kneeland fled the scene on foot, prompting a K9 search.
During the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland “expressed suicidal ideations,” according to ESPN. He was found dead three hours later.
Public statements
Kneeland’s time of death remains unclear. Jonathan Perzley of Sportstars, Inc., Kneeland’s agent, announced the defensive end died late Wednesday night. Meanwhile, a contradicting statement from the Cowboys announced Kneeland “tragically” passed Thursday morning.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away 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.”
The NFL also issued a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources.”
Kneeland’s time in the NFL
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft from Western Michigan. Since then, he has played in 18 games, starting in four of them.
He had 26 tackles, four quarterback hits and one sack, according to the NFL. During Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, recording his first career touchdown.
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