The news hit the college football world hard on Thursday morning when Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland passed away at just 24 years old. For Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, the tragedy struck particularly close to home. Matt Rhule used the moment to deliver a message to his team about something far more important than football: being there for each other when it matters most.​

Matt Rhule didn’t mince words when addressing reporters about Kneeland’s death. “It’s just awful, awful, awful news,” the Nebraska coach said, his voice reflecting the weight of the tragedy. He explained that he took the moment to sit down with his players and remind them about what really counts. ” Rhule says he took this moment to remind his players to care about their teammates and the people around them—to take their headphones off and talk to each other,” reported Mitch Sherman. 

The message wasn’t about football camaraderie. “It’s a time in this world to be kind to people and care about people and ask about people,” Rhule told his team. This is important. Players are constantly in each other’s company yet still feel isolated and lonely. Rhule’s words felt urgent and necessary. Notre Dame’s Jason Onye also took a break from the team to take care of his mental health and well-being. Football is not more important than your health, be it mental or physical.

Kneeland’s death came under circumstances that made Matt Rhule’s message all the more poignant. Authorities in Frisco, Texas, reported that the Cowboys defensive end was found dead early Thursday morning following a police chase and vehicle crash the night before. Police had received reports suggesting Kneeland may have been suicidal, and dispatch audio obtained by TMZ revealed that his girlfriend and family had grown concerned after he sent them texts saying “goodbye” and that he would “end it all.”

The 24-year-old, who had just scored his first NFL touchdown three days earlier by recovering a blocked punt against Arizona, was found deceased approximately three hours after the crash. His agent, Jonathan Perzley, released a heartbreaking statement: “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.”

Rhule’s message to his players was practical and urgent. Check on your teammates. Take the headphones off. Be present. Ask how people are doing. If a 24-year-old can score his first NFL touchdown on Monday Night Football and be gone by Thursday, those simple acts of connection might be the most important thing a coach can teach.​

Teammates left heartbroken and searching for answers

The Cowboys locker room was devastated when the news broke on Thursday morning. Tight end Jake Ferguson, who had been teammates with Kneeland for two seasons, posted one of the first reactions on Instagram Stories, “LOVE YOU BROTHER” over a picture from the NFL’s official announcement. 

Safety Juanyeh Thomas didn’t hold back his raw emotion on X, writing “Sick my stomach, my brotha man😢🕊…” with a broken heart emoji. Receiver and kick returner KaVontae Turpin shared a photo of Kneeland on his Instagram story with the caption “Love you kid.” And defensive tackle Chauncey Golston posted on his story with simply “#LLY.” The brevity of the messages somehow made them hit harder. 

Even Cowboys legends weighed in as the scope of the tragedy became clear. Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith wrote on X: “Heartbroken. Sending my deepest condolences to Marshawn Kneeland’s family and loved ones.” Former Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci captured what so many were feeling: “Man. Thoughts and prayers go out to his friends, family, and everyone in the Cowboys organization. Just sad. Life is short.”

The NFL Players Association quickly offered guidance and resources for teammates struggling to cope with the loss, recognizing that many of these players had never dealt with anything close to this kind of trauma.​