Days after scoring his first career touchdown as a Dallas Cowboy, defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died Thursday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase in Frisco, authorities said. He was 24.
Kneeland’s great-uncle, Preston Kneeland, confirmed the news Thursday morning and told The Dallas Morning News his nephew was an “outstanding young man.”
“He was the gentle giant,” Preston said. “He was just an outstanding dude, and we loved him very much.”
The police chase began shortly after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday when troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Boulevard, Frisco police said.
The driver, identified by police as Kneeland, refused to stop.
According to Jerry Minton, a spokesman for the Plano Police Department, Plano officers responded about 11:30 p.m. to calls for a welfare check in the 6000 block of Columbus Avenue, but no one was home. The address is listed in online records as Kneeland’s residence.
In an audio recording obtained by The News, police were speaking with Kneeland’s girlfriend, who was not identified by authorities. She told police Kneeland was armed, had a history of mental illness and would “end it all.” Police said the girlfriend was trying to contact his agent as officers urged her to reach Kneeland, according to the recording.
Troopers reportedly lost sight of Kneeland’s vehicle during the chase but later found it damaged and abandoned on a southbound lane of the Dallas North Tollway, officials said. With the help of police dogs and drones, Kneeland was found in the area about 1:30 a.m., dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In a statement released Thursday morning, the Cowboys called Kneeland a “beloved teammate and member of our organization.”
“Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family,” the statement said.
In their own statement, the Kneeland family said they are “processing the depth of our grief” and noted that although Kneeland was best known for his impact on the football field, he was also a devoted son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend.
“He was kind, determined, humble and full of love,” the statement read. “His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.
“During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.”
‘The gentle giant’
Kneeland was the Cowboys’ second-round pick out of Western Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft. In nearly two seasons, he played in 18 games with four starts, compiling 26 tackles and one sack.
In Kneeland’s last game, he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for his first career touchdown in the Cowboys’ 27-17 loss Monday night to the Arizona Cardinals.
In his final college season, Kneeland, who was from Grand Rapids, Michigan, recorded a career-high 57 tackles with seven tackles for loss and 4½ sacks. He earned second-team honors in the Mid-American Conference.
“Marshawn was so much more than an incredible football player - he was a remarkable young man who meant so much to our program and to me personally,” Western Michigan head football coach Lance Taylor wrote in a statement. “Having coached him during my first season here, we developed a special bond that went far beyond football. His passion for life and his teammates were unmatched.”
As Kneeland was preparing for the NFL Draft, his mother, Wendy Kneeland, passed away suddenly.
“It was definitely tough,” Kneeland said after getting drafted. “I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL,’ and I made it.”
Kneeland wore his mother’s ashes in a necklace after he was drafted.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland,” the NFL said in a written statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources.”
Mental health resources
The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a Grant Halliburton Foundation initiative that connects North Texans with customized mental health resources. The service can be reached at 972-525-8181 or online at HereForTexas.com.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline operates a 24-hour crisis hotline at 800-273-8255. A confidential online chat is also available at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
For 24-hour text support, the Crisis Text Line is available by texting “HOME” to 741741. More information can be found at crisistextline.org.
The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority provides a 24-hour crisis hotline at 866-260-8000 or online at ntbha.org.
The Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas connects callers with trained counselors through its 24-hour hotline at 214-828-1000, 800-273-8255 or online at sccenter.org.