Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland’s death has stunned the NFL as new details emerge about his career, contract, and tragic final moments
13:54 ET, 06 Nov 2025
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland died early Thursday morning
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Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland died early Thursday morning(Image: Getty)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead at 24 years old early Thursday morning following a late-night incident in Frisco, Texas.
The second-year player had just celebrated his first career NFL touchdown days earlier after he scooped up a blocked punt in a narrow Dallas defeat to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. His death has sent shockwaves through the NFL world.
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While the full circumstances are still under investigation, Texas law-enforcement agencies say Kneeland’s vehicle was involved in a stop attempt late Wednesday night, and Cowboys fans flocked to Kneeland's latest Instagram post to mourn the late star.
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Marshawn Kneeland net worth
Marshawn Kneeland entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, selected by the Dallas Cowboys out of Western Michigan University.
He signed a four-year rookie contract reportedly worth $6.83 million, including approximately $4.01 million guaranteed.
In his first year, Kneeland earned an estimated $2.58 million through salary and signing bonuses, followed by a 2025 base salary of roughly $1.1 million.
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Based on those guaranteed earnings and typical deductions for taxes, agent fees, and escrow withholdings, his estimated net worth ranged between $1 million and $1.5 million at the time of his death.
Marshawn Kneeland cause of death
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), troopers attempted a traffic stop on the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Boulevard around 10:33 p.m. on Nov. 5, when Kneeland’s vehicle reportedly refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.
The vehicle was later located abandoned after a crash on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. Shortly after midnight, law-enforcement located Kneeland in the vicinity of the crash site.
Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan
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Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan(Image: Getty)
According to dispatch audio obtained by media outlets, Kneeland’s girlfriend reported he was armed and feared he intended to “end it all”; a group message to loved ones also reportedly contained circumstantial farewell language.
He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other individuals were injured. The Collin County medical examiner is expected to formally confirm manner and cause of death, but the DPS and multiple outlets have reported the fatality as a suicide.
The Dallas Cowboys issued a statement saying: “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.”
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If you are in the United States and struggling with mental health, call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to988 Lifeline for help.