Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland found dead in apparent suicide, police say

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after evading authorities, crashing a car and fleeing on foot, police in Texas said Thursday.

Around 10:33 p.m. Wednesday, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to stop a car for a traffic violation near Frisco, the Frisco Police Department said in a statement.

The driver allegedly refused to stop, prompting a pursuit that required assistance from Frisco police.

“After losing visual of the vehicle, troopers located it minutes later, crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway,” the statement said.

Police said that the man, later identified as Kneeland, 24, ran away.

During the search for Kneeland, officers said they received information that he had “expressed suicidal ideations.” He was found at 1:31 a.m. local time, “deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the statement said.

Plano police said in a statement that officers responded “to a call for a welfare concern” at an address associated with Kneeland around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday. They did not make contact with anyone at the residence, the statement said.

The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death, the statement added. Police said they are investigating the case as a possible suicide.

Frisco and Plano are suburbs north of Dallas, located partly in Collin County.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the Cowboys said in a statement.

“Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

In a statement, Kneeland’s agent also confirmed his death overnight, but neither he nor the team said where or how the NFL player died.

“I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys,” Jonathan Perzley said in a statement, asking for “privacy and compassion” for those close to Kneeland.

“Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words. My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time.”

The NFL sent a memo on Friday asking clubs that have home games this weekend to hold a moment of silence for Kneeland, followed by the reading of this message: “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 Denver Broncos held a moment of silence for Kneeland on Thursday before their game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Additionally, a moment of silence was held before Sunday morning’s game in Berlin, Germany between the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts.

The Cowboys selected Kneeland with their second-round pick in the 2024 draft, the 56th overall selection. He played in 11 games during his rookie season and appeared in seven in 2025, recording his first career sack in Week 1.

On Monday, he scored a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kneeland attended Western Michigan University beginning in 2019. He almost transferred to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado in 2022 before deciding to remain in his home state. During his collegiate career, Kneeland recorded 149 tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles in 38 games.

“My heart is absolutely broken over the loss of Marshawn Kneeland,” Western Michigan University coach Lance Taylor said in a statement.

“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.”

WMU athletics director Dan Bartholomae said Kneeland was always a popular teammate.

“Marshawn was a beloved member of our campus community and a proud alumnus who worked hard to earn a degree and achieve his dream of being drafted into the NFL,” Bartholomae said.

“While his football talents were exceptional, they came second to his kind and engaging spirit and his love for his Bronco teammates and coaches.”

Before playing at Western Michigan, Kneeland attended Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, where he set school records for tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks, and he was a team captain. He was also a regional champion in track in the 400 meters and an all-conference high jumper.

In 18 career NFL games, Kneeland had 26 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass defended.

Dallas is currently in its bye week. The Cowboys’ next game is on Nov. 17.

University of Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito, who coached Kneeland at WMU, said he and his former player had planned to see each other this weekend as the Wolverines are also on a bye week.

“We just talked the other day and I got to congratulate Marshawn on his first career touchdown on Monday night,” Esposito said in a statement.

“My heart aches as that will be the last conversation that we have together. It’s hard to put into words how much Marshawn means to me and my family. He was family to us and we have so many fond memories of our times together.”

The labor union representing pro football players said Kneeland’s sudden passing shook the community.

“The NFL Players Association is deeply saddened by the passing of Marshawn Kneeland. He is impact on those around him was immeasurable, and his loss is felt profoundly across our community,” the union said in a statement. “We’re working to ensure that players have the support they need, and our condolences are with Marshawn’s family and loved ones.”

Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland sent ‘concerning’ text messages prior to his death

Shortly before Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died by suicide, the player said goodbye to friends and said he couldn’t bear to do any time behind bars, police recordings revealed on Tuesday.

The Cowboys head of security, Cable Johnson, was put through to police in Plano asking for officers in that Dallas suburb to do a welfare check on the 24-year-old.

“He sent out some group texts that are concerning, probably mental health,” Johnson told a police dispatcher. “The group text seemed to be saying goodbye and he made some statement about not being able to go to prison or to jail.”

It wasn’t clear what Kneeland could have been referencing about possible time behind bars.

The dispatcher didn’t ask Cable to elaborate and a Plano police spokesman couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

Johnson said he had already been in touch with top brass at the Plano Police Department, asking for a welfare check to Kneeland’s apartment at 6000 Columbus Ave.

“I just was off the phone with (Plano Police) Chief (Ed) Drain so he’s aware, and I sent him the text as well,” Johnson said.

Kneeland was found dead in the early morning hours of Thursday last week with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after evading authorities, crashing a car and fleeing on foot, police said.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to stop his car for a traffic violation near Frisco on Wednesday night, launching the brief pursuit, police said.

Kneeland was in his second season with the Cowboys and had scored his first NFL touchdown days earlier, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals on “Monday Night Football.”