Authorities have released chilling details of the 911 dispatch call that preceded the death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, offering a stark look at his final hours. The call, placed by Kneeland’s girlfriend, warned that he was armed and suffering from suicidal thoughts.
What the Call Revealed About Marshawn Kneeland
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) walks off the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) walks off the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Around 11:30 p.m. on November 5, a dispatcher relayed the girlfriend’s message: “He is armed and has a history of mental illness… He will end it all.”
The girlfriend also told authorities that Kneeland had sent a group text to his family, saying goodbye — a sign of acute distress.
Just hours later, after a vehicle pursuit and crashed car near Frisco, Texas, Kneeland was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Here is the phone call:
Timeline & Context
Kneeland, 24, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, had recently scored his first NFL touchdown just days before his death.
The sequence of events leading up to his passing included a traffic stop attempt, a chase, and the emergency call of concern. Police also responded to a welfare check at his home shortly before, but were unable to make contact.
Response & Implications
The released dispatch audio has prompted widespread discussion about mental-health support in professional sports and the pressure young athletes face. The Cowboys released a statement calling Kneeland “a beloved teammate and member of our organization,” and expressed sympathy for his girlfriend and family.
Mental health advocates cited this incident as a reminder that signs of crisis — such as calls to emergency services, text-farewells, or armed distress — must be addressed proactively.
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