Absolute tragedy has struck the Dallas Cowboys as defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24.
The Cowboys [released a statement confirming the tragic news](https://x.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1986443265453777225): “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.”
No cause of death was provided, and no additional details were released regarding Kneeland’s sudden passing.
Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland tragically passes away at 24
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A second-round pick out of Western Michigan in 2024, Kneeland was an ascending player for the Cowboys. He enjoyed his signature moment as an NFL player just a few days ago when he recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Kneeland provided an instant spark to the Dallas defense as a rookie, emerging as a viable run defender in only his first season in the league and a solid rotational player behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. He appeared in 18 games for the Cowboys, compiling 26 tackles, one sack, 14 pressures, and 13 defensive stops.
A Grand Rapids, Michigan native, Kneeland burst onto the scene in his final year at Western Michigan, racking up a career-high 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and seven tackles for loss. That production earned him second-team honors in the Mid-American Conference.
Loved by his teammates and admired by reporters, Kneeland’s warmth and energy left a lasting impression on everyone around him. It’s unfathomably tragic that his time was limited to just 24 years.