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Details have been released upon the death of Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland. According to a story by Spectrum News 1, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said that Kneeland died from a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Per the news release, DPS troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on Dalas North Tollway at around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday near Keller Springs Boulevard in Frisco, Texas. DPS troopers said the driver, which was identified later as Kneeland, refused to stop, resulting in a car pursuit. The troopers were unable to chase down the vehicle, and the pursuit was terminated, per the release. DPS said the car was then later found abounded after being involved in a crash on Dallas Parkway. Upon searching the vehicle, police found the driver, Kneeland, dead. According to a story by the USA Today, a TMZ report also was released of police dispatch audio suggesting that Kneeland was going through a mental health crisis at the time. The Dallas Cowboys selected the 24-year-old Kneeland in the 2024 NFL Draft as a second-round pick after a standout career at Western Michigan. The Cowboys released a statement following the news of Kneeland: “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” a Cowboys statement read Thursday 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.” Kneeland scored his first NFL touchdown earlier this week in a loss against the Arizona Cardinals, scooping up a blocked punt in the end zone on Monday Night Football. As a senior in Kalamazoo, Kneeland led WMU in sacks (4.5), while tallying 57 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles, which earned him second team All-Mid-American Conference honors. He finished his five-year career at WMU with 149 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles across 38 games. Before his time with the Broncos, Kneeland was an all-state defensive end and tight end at Wyoming Godwin Heights, tallying 110 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a senior, while adding 20 catches for 330 yards and five TDs on offense.
