Marshawn Kneeland: Dallas Cowboys player dies aged 24
Warning: This story contains information that some readers may find distressing.
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24.
Kneeland was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round in 2024 and played 18 times for the team, including four starts.
The Frisco, Texas, Police Department said Kneeland appeared to have committed suicide after a vehicle pursuit and multi-agency search Wednesday evening.
A police statement said he crashed his car and then fled on foot.
Police were told Kneeland had “expressed suicidal intentions” before he was found dead at 1:31 a.m. local time on Thursday.
The cause of death will be confirmed by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Dallas Cowboys said: “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’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, said his “heart aches” for the death of a player who “put his heart into” every moment.
“I watched him make his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to becoming a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys,” Perzley said.
Kneeland scored his first touchdown in Tuesday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals when he recovered a blocked punt.
He was selected by Dallas with the 56th overall pick in the 2024 draft after playing college football for Western Michigan.
The NFL said it was “deeply saddened.”
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