Marshawn Kneeland

Family of Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland breaks silence following his death aged 24

The family of Marshawn Kneeland, 24, have shared their heartbreak in the wake of the NFL star's tragic death.

The Dallas Cowboys revealed the death of the rising star defensive end in Texas on Thursday, November 6, just days after the 24-year-old had scored a scorching touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals - the first of his young career.Kneeland's promising career began playing college football for the Western Michigan Broncos in his home state, where his success saw him selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys. The Kneeland family's heartfelt tribute continued: "As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field — as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend. He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love."His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.

Another dispatcher mentioned speaking with Kneeland’s girlfriend, who said, “he is armed and has a history of mental illness. And her quote was, ‘He will end it all.’”

Kneeland’s body was located at 1:31 a.m. Thursday. The Cowboys organisation confirmed the news with a brief statement expressing their immense sadness.

The young athlete was in his second season after being drafted by the Cowboys in 2024. Just day before his death, Kneeland scored his first career NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt. 

"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy."

As football fans learned of the tragedy on Thursday, Frisco Police Department informed the public of the tragic circumstances surrounding the NFL star's death, which authorities understand to have been a suicide.

Officers said an incident occurred involving an 'outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco', which sadly led to the discovery of a man 'deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound'.

The Frisco PD statement went on to explain that their officers assisted a Texas Department of Public Safety search for a speeding car that had evaded them, eventually locating the vehicle in Frisco, crashed on the southbound Dallas Parkway.A man believed to be Marshawn Kneeland fled the scene on foot, with officers erecting a cordon and engaging a large search operation to locate the missing individual, with dog and drone units deployed to track him down.The department continued: "Kneeland was later located at 1:31a.m., deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The cause/manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office."

The Dallas Cowboys confirmed the tragic news later that day, saying in a statement: "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 agent of Dallas Cowboys footballer Marshawn Kneeland has published a tribute following the announcement of the star's tragic death aged just 24.

Mr Kneeland died just days after scoring the first touchdown of his career in a match against the Arizona Cardinals on 3 November.

Local authorities have since released additional details about his cause death, saying that Frisco Police found Mr Kneeland 'with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound' on November 5.

They added that Collin County Medical Examiner's Office will now work to determine an official cause of death, and that an investigation into the tragedy is ongoing.

Since his death, Mr Kneeland's agent Jon Perzley has shared a heartbreaking statement online.

In the statement posted to social media, Mr Perzley said: "I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys.

"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."My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time."I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss."Mr Kneeland's NFL team confirmed the tragic news that he had died in a statement published on 6 November."It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning," the team 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."The NFL has also released a statement saying it is 'deeply saddened by the tragic news'.The organisation said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates."

"We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources," the statement concluded.

Mr Kneeland was a defensive lineman originally from Western Michigan, and was selected to play for the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Just two months earlier, Mr Kneeland had also lost his mom, Wendy, to an undisclosed illness.

Speaking of the loss, he told WZZM 13: "I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL’ and I made it."

He continued: "She’s still with me. I got this urn of her ashes I carry with me everywhere. I still feel like she’s there watching over me."

Frisco Police Department has released additional details surrounding the death of Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland, following his passing aged 24.

News of Kneeland's death was confirmed today (November 6) in a statement from his football team, which announced: "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."

Kneeland's death in Texas comes just days after the football star had scored the first touchdown of his career against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.

In the wake of the news, the Frisco Police Department shared further insight to the period surrounding Kneeland's death in a statement shared online.

The police department reported that after what was described as an 'outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco', a man was found 'deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound'.The statement goes on to explain that on November 5, at approximately 10:39pm, the Frisco Police Department responded to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with locating a vehicle which had managed to evade troopers as they carried out a pursuit which had entered the city of Frisco."After losing visual of the vehicle, troopers located it minutes later, crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway," the statement said."Initial reports indicated that a male subject, later identified as 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, TX fled the scene on foot . Officers established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area with the assistance of the FPD K-9 and Drone units."

While conducting their search, the police department said that officers had received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations.

The department continued: "Kneeland was later located at 1:31a.m., deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The cause/manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office."

"At this time, no further details will be released as the investigation remains ongoing," Frisco police said. "Our heartfelt condolences to the Kneeland family and friends.

"If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone."

Mary 'Molly' Elliott's husband said her life was 'so full of hope and promise for a beautiful future', before Jessie Hoffman Jr. took it away from her.

Hoffman was sentenced to death in 1996 for the rape and murder of Elliott. His execution was carried out yesterday (March 18), making him the first person in Louisiana to be put to death by nitrogen gas.Confirming the death of their 'beloved' Marshawn, the Kneeland family shared that they 'are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief'.In November 1996, Andy Elliott became a widower and has since battled with the idea of what 'justice' would look like.

"There is something about knowing it could actually finally happen that has forced all of us to re-live the past tragedy and re-examine our true feelings," Andy said in a statement per the New Orleans TimesPicayune, last week."The reality is this: after this much time passing, I’ve become indifferent to the death penalty vs. life in prison without possibility of parole. However, I’m not indifferent to the uncertainty that has accompanied these many years.

"If putting him to death is the easiest way to end the uncertainty, then on balance I favor that solution. But, his death will not provide closure."Elliott's sister-in-law, Kate Murphy, also sent a last-minute plea to Louisiana government officials, requesting them grant Hoffman a pardon hearing.

"Executing Jessie Hoffman is not justice in my name, it is the opposite," she wrote. The plea was ultimately denied.

Hoffman was 18 years old when he ordered the advertising executive to withdraw cash from an ATM at gunpoint, before driving her to a remote area in St. Tammany Parish.

It was there that he raped Elliott before killing her. Her body was discovered two days later.The death row inmate was pronounced dead yesterday at 6.50pm local time, with authorities saying the mask - which filtered nitrogen gas into his lungs - was strapped to his face for a staggering 19 minutes. One official even said the way procedure was carried out was 'flawless'.Hoffman did not provide a final statement or have a final meal before his execution.The organization announced the devastating news on Thursday, only days after the young player had helped deliver one of the most electric moments of his career.
According to a report from Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as a "suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound."The tragic confirmation has left the Cowboys and their fan base heartbroken over the sudden loss of a promising athlete whose professionalism and work ethic had already earned admiration throughout the league.

Kneeland, who was in his second NFL season, had been drafted by Dallas in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan. His growth on the field was matched by an authenticity off it that endeared him to teammates and fans alike.In what would become his final Instagram post, shared on October 9, Kneeland reflected on his roots and the mindset that propelled him toward his dream. "Knew I was a trench baby, the way I had their mob psycho," he wrote, accompanying the message with snapshots from both his life and his football journey.Team, agent, and league issue statements in remembrance
The Cowboys confirmed the heartbreaking news in a public statement the morning after his passing.

"It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning," the team 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."His agent, Jonathan Perzley of Sportsstars, shared an emotional tribute that captured both the professional and personal dimensions of Kneeland's life.

"I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night," Perzley said in a statement posted to Instagram.

Posted on 2025/11/07 04:26 PM