Dallas Cowboys Player Passes Away

By: Brionna Gillis

Dallas Cowboys defensive end, Marshawn Kneeland, has passed away at the age of 24 according to the team and local authorities. 

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

The Frisco Texas Police Department confirmed Thursday Nov. 6,  that Kneeland passed away sometime between late Wednesday Nov. 5 and  early Thursday morning. Kneeland’s cause of death is being investigated as a suspected suicide.  

“It’s unfortunate that he took his life. It was kind of sudden. It just makes you think that the NFL needs more resources out there to help with players’ mental health because you never know what a person is going through,” said Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, a graduating senior journalism major with an emphasis in sports management. 

Kneeland’s family also confirmed his death, saying in a statement, “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. He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love.” The statement also asked for privacy, per CBS. 

No cause of death was immediately revealed, but Frisco Police said that at 10:39 p.m local time on Nov. 5 they began assisting the Texas Department of Public Safety “with locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit.” The police lost sight of the vehicle but relocated it minutes later, having crashed on Dallas Parkway heading southbound. Kneeland was later identified as the individual who fled the scene, according to the release, per USA Today. 

Kneeland was pronounced dead at 1:31 a.m. An official cause of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office. The player’s passing comes as a shock to both fans and his teammates as he just played during the Cowboy’s Monday night game to the Arizona Cardinals, where he scored his first career touchdown in the game. 

“I think it’s just crazy because he just played two days before. He scored his first touchdown in his career and two days later took his life,” said Fitzpatrick. 

The NFL, his agent, and teammates all mourn Kneeland’s passing.