MARSHAWN KNEELAND, NFL PLAYER FOR DALLAS COWBOYS, DIES AGED 24 IN APPARENT SUICIDE
Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive lineman for the American football team, the Dallas Cowboys, has died at the age of 24.
Kneeland was found dead with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing the scene of an accident on foot.
Frisco Police said Kneeland did not stop for Texas Department of Public Safety troopers in a chase, adding that their own officers joined the search for the NFL player on Wednesday night.
Authorities lost sight of the vehicle before locating it crashed minutes later. During the search after Kneeland fled the crash site on foot, officers said they received word that Kneeland might be suicidal. He was found dead early Thursday morning, about three hours after the crash. Police did not say where Kneeland’s body was found.
The Cowboys confirmed his death in a statement: “Marshawn was a beloved team-mate and member of our organisation. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
His agent, Jonathan Perzley, asked for privacy. “I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Mr Perzley said. “Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”
His death came just two days after he scored his first career touchdown by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone during the Cowboys’ 27-17 defeat by the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.
A former standout at Western Michigan University, Kneeland was a second-round draft pick in 2024. His rookie season was curtailed by a knee injury that sidelined him for five games. This season, he played in seven games, missing two with an ankle injury, and recorded his first career sack in the opening match against Philadelphia.
The NFL stated it was “deeply saddened by the tragic news” and had contacted the Cowboys to offer support and counselling resources.
Kneeland wore his mother’s ashes on a necklace after her sudden death in the build-up to the 2024 draft event.
“It was definitely tough,” Kneeland said after being selected by the Cowboys. “I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL’ and I made it.”
2025-11-06T16:15:39Z