The football world is reeling from the tragic death of Marshawn Kneeland, a promising defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys who died at the age of 24. Here’s what we know so far:
Kneeland, born July 8 2001, was in his second NFL season after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Cowboys. He had recently scored his first NFL touchdown, a blocked‐punt recovery in the end zone during a Monday night game against the Arizona Cardinals – just days before his death.
On November 5, 2025, at around 10:30 p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on the Dallas North Tollway in Frisco, Texas.
The driver identified as Kneeland evaded the stop and the pursuit ensued.
The vehicle was later found crashed on the southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway.
Following the crash, a search was launched with K-9 and drone units.
During the search, authorities say they received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal thoughts and that he had sent group text messages saying goodbye to family.
At approximately 1:31 a.m. on November 6, officers located Kneeland deceased from an apparent self‐inflicted gunshot wound.
investigationAuthorities have described the cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, pointing toward suicide.
However, the official manner and cause are pending a full autopsy and investigation by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office in Texas.
His agent, Jonathan Perzley, stated that he was “shattered” and asked for privacy for the family.
The team’s official statement read:
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning…”
Kneeland was from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and played his college football at the Western Michigan Broncos from 2019 to 2023.
His mother, Wendy Kneeland, passed away in February 2024, shortly before his NFL draft. He carried her ashes in a necklace and had spoken of her driving him toward his dream.
In his brief professional career with the Cowboys, he appeared in 18 games, recording 26 tackles and one sack.
What we don’t know yet
While multiple sources report the death was by suicide via a self‐inflicted gunshot wound, the official medical examiner’s findings are still pending.
The exact trigger(s) leading to the pursuit and his decision remain unclear.
Any underlying mental health issues have been referenced (his girlfriend alerted authorities he was “armed” and “would end it all” via dispatch audio) but no formal medical history has been made public.
Final thoughts
The loss of Marshawn Kneeland is deeply tragic a young athlete with so much promise, gone far too soon.
It highlights the urgent need to focus on mental health even among those appearing successful and fulfilled.
The football community, teammates, family, and fans are mourning his passing and the impact he made in his short time.
