Marshawn Kneeland #94 of the Dallas Cowboys scored his first and only NFL touchdown during his final game. Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Update, 11/6/2025, 9:35 a.m.: This is a developing story and has been updated with new information, including a statement from Marshawn Kneeland’s agent.
Marshawn Kneeland, the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 second-round draft pick, has died, the team announced on Thursday.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the statement shared by NFL reporter Ian Rappaport 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 24-year-old defensive star joined the Cowboys after excelling at Western Michigan University, where he won Mid-American All-Conference honors after recording 57 tackles during his final season with the school.
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Statement from the #Cowboys:
“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… pic.twitter.com/ywXBPCJYQe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 6, 2025
Over his two seasons with the Cowboys, Kneeland was a regular starter for the team, and during Monday’s loss to the Phoenix Cardinals, Kneeland scored his only career NFL touchdown when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.
Notes expressing shock and disbelief over Kneeland’s sudden death began appearing on social media just before 9 a.m. on Thursday morning. Mike Zimmer, the former Cowboys defensive coordinator who coached Kneeland last year, appeared on the NFL Network to give his thoughts on Kneeland’s death.
“He was a great person, eager to learn .. wanted to be great. He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard-loved playing the game,” Zimmer said. “My last conversation with him was keep being you, you’re going to have a great career.”
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, said in a statement given to ESPN. “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.”
No cause of death has been announced.