Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas slammed a sector of NFL fans who messaged him insensitive comments following the tragic passing of teammate Marshawn Kneeland
23:23 ET, 07 Nov 2025
Juanyeh Thomas stands on the field
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Juanyeh Thomas called out NFL fans for sending insensitive messages following the death of Marshawn Kneeland(Image: Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas clapped back at a sector of NFL fans who’ve sent him insensitive messages in the wake of teammate Marshawn Kneeland’s untimely death.
On Thursday, the Cowboys announced that Kneeland tragically passed away at the age of 24. A wave of tributes swiftly poured in from across the NFL, with fans, pundits, and players all paying their respects to the second-year defensive end.
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Yet according to Thomas — who played alongside Kneeland for the better part of two seasons — not all of the responses have been kind in nature.
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Taking to social media, the 25-year-old called out some for insinuating that the death of Kneeland would motivate players on the Cowboys defense to play better.
READ MORE: Marshawn Kneeland net worth as Dallas Cowboys star dies at 24READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka meltdown causes coach to walk out during WTA Finals match
“Stay outta my DM with the ‘this if this doesn’t spark Yalls defense,’” he wrote on X. “… I could care less about that s--- right now… I just lost a brother, that I bled, sweated and cried tears with…
“Yall so caught up in this sports stuff, that y’all Mfs forget we just like y’all… But I expect that from y’all…..”
Several hours later, Thomas reposted a reply from Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado, who wrote: “They don’t treat us like humans, we’re just pawns in the games they watch. Praying for all of yall.”
Droves of NFL supporters swiftly apologized for their peers’ behavior in the comment section. “I’m so sorry that some fans are so caught up in the game that they don’t take a second to understand the personal affect on each of y’all,” one X user wrote. “Praying for everyone in that locker room!”
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“Truly so sorry. Don’t let them speak for everyone. So many people from so many fan bases have you guys in our thoughts and prayers and are hopeful you’re ok,” another wrote.
A third chimed in: “I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. The bond you shared with your brother is what real life is all about, far more important than any game. My heart goes out to you and his family.”
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Kneeland instigated a police chase after refusing to pull over for a traffic stop. Though the pursuit was terminated once troopers reported losing sight of the car, the vehicle was eventually found abandoned with clear signs that it had been involved in a crash.
Kneeland was later discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
READ MORE: Marshawn Kneeland 'torn apart' by family tragedy months before his deathREAD MORE: Broncos pay touching tribute to Marshawn Kneeland before TNF clash with Raiders
For many players inside the Cowboys’ locker room, the news of Kneeland’s passing has been incredibly tough to swallow. “It’s been a very tough day … it started early finding out the news,” quarterback Dak Prescott told CBS News Texas.
“Tragic loss. I hurt. Heavy, heavy heart today. I hurt for Marshawn. I hurt for his family. I hurt for his girlfriend [Catalina]. I hurt for every single one of my teammates.
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“This is a pain that you don’t wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn’t have to go through what he went through. And [I’m] just thankful for each moment we have in this life and don’t take it for granted — and hug and love on those that you do.”
If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go tohttp://SuicidePreventionLifeline.org