Copyright Heavy.
The news shook the NFL world in a horrible way. On Wednesday, November 6, the Dallas Cowboys and NFL announced the tragic news that Cowboys defender Marshawn Kneeland had died. He was only 24 years old. According to an official release from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Kneeland was involved in a traffic stop after a moving violation in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday evening, November 5. The police and Kneeland’s car were engaged in a chase, and police lost the vehicle. Later, they found the car following a crash. Kneeland was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the Dallas Cowboys announced in an official statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.” Now, details have surfaced about the final moments before Kneeland’s death, and those details suggest that Kneeland was going through a mental health crisis at the time. Marshawn Kneeland Told His Family Goodbye: Report According to police dispatch audio obtained by TMZ Sports connected to Kneeland’s death, the Cowboys player told his family goodbye and was experiencing a mental health episode. In the clip, “operators in Texas are heard relaying information from Kneeland’s girlfriend, who stated she received a concerning message from the 24-year-old and was trying to contact the defensive end’s agent,” TMZ notes. His girlfriend also said Kneeland was armed and that he “had a history of mental issues,” according to TMZ, and “was quoted saying he would ‘end it all.'” In the audio clip, Dispatch also said they were on the phone with the Dallas Cowboys. Police officials say the investigation is ongoing. “I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Kneeland’s agent, Johnathan Perzley, said in a statement. “Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.” Marshawn Kneeland’s History With the Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft as the No. 56 overall pick. According to league research, Kneeland has posted 26 tackles, four quarterback hits and one sack during his two seasons with the team. Kneeland appeared in seven of nine games this season, as well as 11 games during his rookie season. Just months before he was picked by the Dallas Cowboys in the draft, he lost his mother, Wendy Kneeland, according to the Dallas News. According to the publication, he carried “the ashes of his mother, Wendy, in a vertically shaped urn, no bigger than 2 inches, on a chain around his neck.”
