Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland allegedly had concerns about being arrested before his sudden death.

Shortly before his body was found early on the morning of Thursday, November 6, Kneeland said he was “not able to go to prison or to jail,” an acquaintance of the late NFL star said in 911 audio obtained by Us Weekly on Monday, November 10. 

After failing to stop for a traffic violation late on Wednesday, November 5, Kneeland led police on a brief chase before authorities lost his vehicle. 

According to police, Kneeland crashed his car on the Dallas Parkway, and his body was found shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, dead of an apparent suicide. He was 24 years old. 

In a separate 911 call made by Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina, she told police she was concerned about the NFL star’s well-being and that he had “a history of mental illness.”

The Cowboys, who selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, announced Kneeland’s death in a statement on Thursday. 

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, reacted to Kneeland’s death during a radio appearance on Tuesday, November 11. 

“I think we all have unfettered feelings about the people we love, people we work with, and this is just a time when you acknowledge that there’s no answers,” Jones, 83, said on Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan. “It makes you want to live life to the fullest. It makes you want to look for the very best in what we have for each other. And in some way make sense out of these times in terms of what they can mean from helping those that are here on earth right now.”

Jones added, “All of those things are very natural, come to mind, but his death is such a national awareness thing that it takes on some of that light when we think about how we go forward.”

The Cowboys will return to action for the first time since Kneeland’s death on Monday, November 17, when they travel to Las Vegas to play the Raiders on Monday Night Football. 

For the rest of the season, the Cowboys will wear a special decal on their helmets in honor of Kneeland.

The late football star’s family — including his father, Shawn, who is currently incarcerated, his brothers AJ and Shawn Jr. and his sister, Yahmya — issued their own statement about his death on Thursday.

“We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief,” the family said. “As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field — as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.”

The statement continued, “He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.

We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.”