INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Marshawn Kneeland #DL41 of the Western Michigan Broncos speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Marshawn Kneeland #DL41 of the Western Michigan Broncos speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
On Thursday morning, the announcement of the death of 24-year-old second-year Cowboys defender Marshawn Kneeland shocked the NFL. Making his death all the more difficult to come to grips with is that Kneeland himself knew tragedy over the past two years, and appeared to have overcome it.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Kneeland’s cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Back on February 18, 2024, just days before the start of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where Kneeland would solidify his professional future after his eye-opening career at Western Michigan, Kneeland’s mother, Wendy, died suddenly of an undisclosed illness. Heading into the Combine, he could easily of made her death a part of his story, but he chose to keep it under wraps.
As he said at the time, “A lot of people don’t know because I really don’t talk about it too much … It was tough, it still is, but I know at the end of the day the thing that gets me through it is she spent all her life trying to get me to go here and supported me as much as she could to get me to the NFL.”
Marshawn Kneeland’s Mother’s Death ‘Was Tough’
Kneeland excelled in the 2024 Senior Bowl on February 3 of last year, and raised his stock–some had him as a fringe first-rounder–with a sack and by showing his speed in the pre-game practices. He was riding high at that time, and just like that, the mother who had helped him launch his football career was gone.
When the combine was over, Kneeland recalled, “It was tough I had a week to prepare [for the combine] and try to breathe and let all of it out as much as possible with the situation. But I had to lock in. I put myself in the best position and she helped me out a lot just leading up to the draft. I personal best almost every day leading up to [the combine]. … She was right there with me.”
Mother’s Ashes Were Always With Him
Kneeland carried a small urn with him at all time, containing a portion of his mother’s ashes. As he told WZZM in Michigan:
“She was the one driving me around, trying to find a place for me to do football when I was younger, I started off with two hand tap football. She was there for all of my games in high school, as much as she could.
“So, the thing I could do now is just make her proud and go there and be great in the NFL and keep pushing forward with her name.”
Kneeland struggled with injuries in his rookie season, but had been getting consistent playing time in 2025. He had a key play in the Cowboys’ loss to the Cardinals on Monday, blocking a punt on special teams.
Marshawn Kneeland’s Agent Statement on Death
Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, described Kneeland’s death as “a pain I can hardly put into words.”
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Perzley said in a statement. “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.”