Ahead of the Sunday slate of action, the NFL has passed on a message to teams asking for Marshawn Kneeland to be honored after the Dallas Cowboys lineman tragically passed away
19:47 ET, 08 Nov 2025Updated 19:55 ET, 08 Nov 2025
The Denver Broncos paid tribute to Marshawn Kneeland on Thursday Night Football
View Image
The Denver Broncos paid tribute to Marshawn Kneeland on Thursday Night Football(Image: Getty Images)
The NFL has issued a memo asking franchises to pay tribute to Marshawn Kneeland ahead of Week 10 games on Sunday.
On Thursday, Kneeland was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. The Dallas Cowboys defensive end was tailed by police the night before, but was sadly found dead hours after they lost him during a traffic pursuit.
Article continues below
In the early hours of Thursday morning, police found Kneeland's crashed vehicle and conducted a search, which ended after three hours once his body was discovered. The tragic news comes just days after he scored a defensive touchdown on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals, and quarterback Dak Prescott has broken his silence on the news.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Tom Brady adds another championship as Rafa Nadal left heartbroken in MiamiREAD MORE: Karoline Leavitt makes feelings clear on naming $3.8BN NFL stadium after Donald Trump
Ahead of Thursday Night Football between the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, Kneeland was honored in the wake of his passing. Before the national anthem was sung in Denver, the lights inside Empower Field at Mile High were dimmed as the Broncos paid tribute to the late Cowboys star.
It appears that many teams will follow suit on Sunday in Week 10. On Friday, the NFL sent a memo to all teams requesting that they hold a moment of silence as part of their pre-game ceremonies in memory of the late Cowboys defensive end.
The moment of silence will be followed by a message read in all NFL stadiums that says: “If you or someone you know is struggling or needs emotional support, please call or text 988. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24-7 to help.”
The story ultimately rocked the NFL and wider sports community. The Cowboys released a statement which read: “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning.
Sign up to our NFL newsletter here
The NFL sent a memo to all teams Friday, asking them to hold a moment of silence Sunday as part of the pre-game ceremonies in memory of the late Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.The moment of silence will be followed by a message read in all NFL stadiums that says, If… pic.twitter.com/K3UYMudDhL — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 8, 2025
“He was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott also spoke out. The 32-year-old may have been hit harder by the news than most; his brother Jace took his own life in 2020, and Prescot has since worked with several mental health charities and attempted to spread awareness.
“This is a pain that you don't wish upon anybody,” Prescott said. “You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn't have to go through what he went through.
Article continues below
“Tough moment for this team. I feel and hurt for everybody that's involved in this and Marshawn's family and loved ones.”
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 to 988 Lifeline for help.