The NFL community continues to mourn the tragic loss of Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, who passed away on Thursday morning at just 24 years old, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

His great uncle, Preston, shared a touching reflection with SportsDayDFW, offering a glimpse into the character and kindness that defined him.

“He was an outstanding young man,” Preston said, according to the latest X post made by Cowboys reporter Calvin Watkins. “He was the gentle giant. He was just an outstanding dude and we loved him very much.”

According to the reports, at approximately 10:33 p.m. on the night of November 5, 2025, troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Boulevard. The driver, later identified as Kneeland, refused to stop, initiating a pursuit with Department of Public Safety troopers. What unfolded later remains shrouded in mystery.

Troopers eventually lost sight of the vehicle, leading to the pursuit being terminated. Shortly after, authorities located the vehicle abandoned following a crash on the southbound lanes of Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway in Frisco, Texas. DPS Aircraft units, troopers, and officers from the Frisco Police Department began searching the surrounding area. During the search, they found the driver, Marshawn Kneeland, dead.

The DPS confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with no additional details available regarding the suicide. It’s an especially devastating turn of events, given that on Monday against the Arizona Cardinals, he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, scoring his first career touchdown.

What was meant to be a breakout performance has now become a heartbreaking memory for his family.

Marshawn Kneeland’s NFL journey: A rising star gone too soon

Kneeland’s time in the NFL, though brief, left a strong impression on his family and those who coached him. During his rookie season, he appeared in 11 games, recording 14 tackles while earning the respect of then–defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

“He was a great person, eager to learn,” Zimmer told NFL Network’s Jane Slater. “Wanted to be great. He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard [and] loved playing the game. Tough.”

Zimmer also recalled his final exchange with the young player. “My last conversation with him was keep being you—you’re going to have a great career.”

Marshawn Kneeland was selected 56th overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, seeing in him a raw but relentless defensive force. By his second season in 2025, he had earned a larger role within the rotation. He started three games across seven appearances, notching 12 tackles and his first career sack.

Now, that promising career and the bright future it pointed toward have been heartbreakingly cut short.