DALLAS, T.X.— On Thursday morning, the Dallas Cowboys announced the tragic passing of Marshawn Kneeland, a 24-year-old defensive lineman in his second season with the team.
“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,” a statement from the team read.
A cause of death remains unclear at the moment.
Football fans may recall that Kneeland recently made a big play for the Cowboys, returning a blocked punt for a touchdown in an effort to shift momentum during their eventual loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.
Kneeland’s agent Jonathan Perzley also shared a statement on his passing, saying that “I am shattered to confirm 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, teammates and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time.”
During his time at Western Michigan, Kneeland earned Second-Team All-MAC honors in 2023 after recording 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He was also named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kneeland ultimately appeared in 18 games for the Cowboys, recording one sack, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery, and four quarterback hits.
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