ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys will face off in a NFC East matchup on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. And when they do, it’ll be an emotional afternoon for a young Eagles star paying tribute to a friend.
Eagles edge rusher Jalyx Hunt will honor Marshawn Kneeland, the late Cowboys defensive end, with his shoes in the My Cause, My Cleats initiative.
Kneeland passed away earlier this month after police found him dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Hunt, a third-round pick out of Houston Christian, and Kneeland, a second-round pick out of Western Michigan, became friends during the 2024 pre-draft process and remained close.
Hunt unveiled his cleats and explained his relationship with Kneeland in a video posted to the Eagles’ official social media channels on Saturday.
“Marshawn and I, we started this journey together,” Hunt said. “I met him, it seems like I’ve known him all my life. But I met him at the beginning of 2024 for the pre-draft work. Through that process, it’s really unique. I’m with him every day. He’s annoying me; I’m annoying him.
“Through that, we all got really close. And when everyone got drafted, he went second round to the Cowboys, we all called him, super excited. We know how much it meant to him and how hard he worked for it.
“So throughout every milestone that we hit, our first sack, we all talked. I called them at the Super Bowl whenever we were going through the week, just to tell them how appreciative I was and just talking to them about everything. Being able to wear him on my cleats just really means a lot. It’s a full circle moment. And I hate that it has to be like that. Because he wanted the kelly green jersey, and this would have been the perfect week to do it. This really means a lot.
“If y’all need to call anybody, man, 9-8-8 is the hotline. Please talk to them. Being strong does not mean you have to be silent. Please talk to somebody so we don’t lose a great soul, another great person.”
Hunt and the Eagles face the Cowboys at 4:25 p.m. Sunday. The game will air on FOX.
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