Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
The Dallas Cowboys announced the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland on Thursday. He was 24.
Advertisement
The team made the announcement in a statement, which read:
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. 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 released a similar statement Thursday, confirming Kneeland’s death and adding that it has “offered support and counseling resources” to the Cowboys.
Kneeland’s family confirmed his death Thursday, saying they were “devastated by this tremendous loss.”
Kneeland’s agent, Jon Perzley, also put out a statement, saying he was “shattered” at the news. Perzley’s full statement read:
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. 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. My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
Frisco police released a statement Thursday, saying they were investigating the situation as a “possible suicide,” and believe Kneeland died “from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Advertisement
Police said they were called to locate a vehicle that evaded police after a pursuit. They located the vehicle, which was crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway.
Officers were reportedly also called to perform a welfare check at Kneeland’s apartment earlier in the evening. They did not make contact with Kneeland at the apartment, as the car pursuit was already in progress, a police spokesperson told NFL Network.
Officers said Kneeland fled the scene on foot. As police were searching for Kneeland, they were informed he had “expressed suicidal ideations,” per the release. Officers found Kneeland at 1:31 a.m. “deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Kneeland’s official cause of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Advertisement
The police investigation remains ongoing.
After a standout college career, in which he amassed 27.5 sacks in five seasons at Western Michigan, Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in 11 games as a rookie, picking up 14 tackles, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery.
Kneeland appeared in seven games, including three starts, with the team in 2025. In Week 1, he recorded his first NFL sack in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. On Monday, Kneeland scored his first NFL touchdown after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone during a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
