The NFL faced heartbreaking news as the Dallas Cowboys confirmed the death of DE Marshawn Kneeland on Thursday. The franchise added a morbid layer to the development by releasing a statement on Thursday. Kneeland, according to the Frisco Police Department, appeared to have taken his own life after a late-night vehicle pursuit and multi-agency search. The authorities revealed that the player took off on foot after a crash on the southbound Dallas Parkway the night before.

After the horrific turn of events, the Cowboys paid tribute by displaying a black-and-white image of Kneeland outside The Star, their headquarters in Frisco. The team’s official statement about his tragic death accompanied this picture. The statement said, “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 Cowboys drafted Kneeland from Western Michigan in the second round of the 2024 draft. The 24-year-old DE featured in 11 games of his rookie season but shouldered a more prominent role in 2025. In Dallas’ recent MNF clash, Kneeland scored his first career touchdown after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals.

Alongside the Cowboys and the League, countless players, coaches, and members of the media shared tributes for the former Western Michigan defensive end.

Dallas coach gets emotional about Marshawn Kneeland’s death

Former Dallas Cowboys DE and current assistant coach Greg Ellis was extremely emotional as he reacted to the death of Marshawn Kneeland.

Ellis had worked with Kneeland and described the DE as “someone who epitomized what you look for in a football player. He played the game hard. He was eager to learn. You hear a lot of things about this generation, but that wasn’t Marshawn. He was still a ‘Yes, sir. No, sir,’ kind of guy. He wanted extra help with things. That was him. Extra stuff, study film,” as per ESPN.

When the Cowboys drafted Marshawn Kneeland in the 2024 draft, the Western Michigan DE received many comparisons with Greg Ellis. “I wish I would’ve or could’ve done more to help him in other areas of his life,” the Dallas assistant coach expressed, as per ESPN.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they have dealt with the death of players during a season before. Linebacker Jerry Brown passed away in a car accident in which his teammate, Josh Brent, had been driving.