Claim: A viral social media post claims that Jerry Jones offered Marshawn Kneeland’s father a job with the Dallas Cowboys. The post, framed as a “heartwarming” story, includes emotional quotes attributed to Jones, players, and Kneeland’s father.

The first official information about Marshawn Kneeland’s death came from the Frisco Police Department’s media release on November 6, 2025. According to the release, the 24-year-old was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a vehicle pursuit and a multi-agency search within the city of Frisco. The Texas Department of Public Safety troopers initiated a vehicle chase at approximately 10:39 p.m. on November 5 after a vehicle evaded the troopers.

The chase ended when Kneeland crashed his car and fled on foot. Police and specialized units conducted a search, locating him deceased at 1:31 a.m. local time. The media release expressed condolences to the family and noted that the investigation was ongoing, with the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office tasked with determining the precise cause and manner of death.

Shortly after, at 8:35 a.m. on November 6, the Dallas Cowboys confirmed in a statement: “Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning.” The team described him as a beloved teammate and extended condolences to his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter quickly amplified the Cowboys’ statement on X, sparking widespread social media attention. National outlets like ESPN and ABC News followed with detailed reports that incorporated official police information later that same day. Importantly, no Facebook post or unofficial social media announcement preceded these authoritative updates, establishing the Frisco Police Department as the original source, followed by the team’s confirmation.

On November 9, 2025, the Facebook page Dallas Cowboys Update shared a post linking to a news portal article that claimed Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, had offered Marshawn Kneeland’s father, Shawn Wade Kneeland, a job with the team. This post was accompanied by tearful testimonials and emotional language suggesting that Jones extended a lifeline to Shawn during the family’s tragedy. A similar account appeared in NewsEdge, repeating the narrative of Jones giving Shawn a “lifeline” job, backed by team support.

Our Verdict: False

These viral posts are false for two clearly verifiable reasons.

First, Michigan Department of Corrections records confirm that Shawn Kneeland is currently incarcerated at Newberry Correctional Facility. He faces multiple weapons and evidence-tampering charges, with his earliest possible release date set for June 6, 2026. Given that he is in state custody, it is impossible for him to be hired by the Dallas Cowboys or to assume any role with the team.

Second, there has been no official announcement from the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, or any credible news outlet indicating that Shawn Kneeland was offered employment, a role, or any form of involvement with the franchise. Every public statement following Marshawn Kneeland’s death has focused exclusively on honoring the player and supporting his girlfriend and immediate family — not offering jobs to his father.

Moreover, Jerry Jones’s public reactions have centered solely on grieving and celebrating Marshawn’s life. Jones has made multiple on-record statements since the tragedy, consistently expressing devastation, praising Marshawn’s spirit and character, and detailing how the Cowboys will honor him throughout the season with helmet decals, tributes, and memorial acknowledgments.

At no point has Jones mentioned or hinted at offering employment to Shawn Kneeland.

In a November 11 interview on 105.3 The Fan, Jones described being “devastated” by the news and recounted how difficult it was to process “the content that was on the other phone in the middle of the night when we all got the news.”

He emphasized the human aspect of the moment rather than organizational gestures:

“We all are having to share the sorrow… The very definition of team is we love each other, we rely on each other.”

Jones added that tragedies like this serve as a powerful reminder:

“This is a reality check… the human things of having someone’s company on earth… all of those things come to mind in times like this.”

His comments remain fully focused on grief, remembrance, and support for Marshawn’s immediate family — not on personnel decisions or symbolic hires.

These facts conclusively show that the viral claims are unsupported. The story relies on fabricated quotes and false details that appear nowhere in official records, team statements, or reputable news reports.

Our Fact-Checking Sources

• Frisco Police Department Media Release on Marshawn Kneeland Death, November 6, 2025: Frisco PD
• Dallas Cowboys Official Statement on Marshawn Kneeland, November 6, 2025: Cowboys.com
• Adam Schefter X Post Sharing Cowboys Statement, November 6, 2025: X.com
• Dallas Cowboys Update Facebook Page Post, November 9, 2025: Facebook
• Viral News Portal Article on Jerry Jones Job Claim, November 9, 2025: News
• NewsEdge Article Repeating Job Claim Narrative, November 9, 2025: News
• Michigan Department of Corrections Inmate Profile for Shawn Kneeland (MDOC #396597): MDOC OTIS
• NFL.com Article on Jerry Jones’ Reaction to Marshawn Kneeland’s Death: NFL.com​