Football community reacts to Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland's death: 'Gone too soon'

This communicative discusses suicide. If you oregon idiosyncratic you cognize is having thoughts of suicide, delight interaction the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline astatine 988 oregon 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The NFL assemblage is mourning the tragic decease of Dallas Cowboys antiaircraft extremity Marshawn Kneeland. 

Officials confirmed the 24-year-old died from a self-inflicted gunshot aft a constabulary pursuit successful Texas. Teams and players successful the athletics expressed sorrow astir the news. 

"A tragic loss. Praying for Marshawn’s family, friends, and teammates. Gone excessively soon," New York Giants backmost Russell Wilson posted to X. 

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Dallas Cowboys antiaircraft extremity Marshawn Kneeland walks connected the tract during the team's grooming campy astatine River Ridge Playing Fields successful Oxnard, Calif., July 25, 2024. (Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"It sucks seeing the quality of our NFL brother!" Tennessee Titans prima Jeffery Simmons posted to X. "Even erstwhile idiosyncratic is carrying the biggest smile, marque definite to conscionable cheque successful connected them. You conscionable ne'er cognize man. Don’t beryllium acrophobic to inquire for help, we each done things that we sometimes hide!

"If you oregon anyone you whitethorn cognize that needs affectional support, scope retired to the nationalist intelligence wellness hotline: 988. You are not alone."

"Difficult to process the horrible quality retired of Dallas. Just tragic," NFL large J.J. Watt posted to X. 

The Western Michigan Broncos' Lance Taylor, the caput manager astatine Kneeland’s alma mater, said helium was heartbroken. 

"My bosom is perfectly breached implicit the nonaccomplishment of Marshawn Kneeland. Marshawn was truthful overmuch much than an unthinkable shot subordinate – helium was a singular young antheral who meant truthful overmuch to our programme and to maine personally. His leadership, energy, and grin were infectious, and helium near a lasting interaction connected everyone successful our program. Having coached him during my archetypal play here, we developed a peculiar enslaved that went acold beyond football," the connection said. 

COWBOYS’ MARSHAWN KNEELAND DIED BY SUICIDE AFTER POLICE CHASE IN TEXAS, OFFICIALS SAY

Green Bay Packers moving backmost Emanuel Wilson (23) runs against Dallas Cowboys antiaircraft extremity Marshawn Kneeland (94) successful the archetypal 4th astatine AT&T Stadium successful Arlington, Texas, connected Sept. 28, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

"His passionateness for beingness and his teammates were unmatched. Our full Bronco Football household is devastated, and we nonstop our deepest prayers to his family, teammates, and each who loved him. Marshawn volition everlastingly beryllium a portion of the Bronco brotherhood."

Bilhal Kone, a cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens and a teammate of Kneeland’s astatine Western Michigan, said helium can’t hold to marque Kneeland arrogant with his play. 

"Rip member you was a large fig to maine much past a teammate much past a member you was hope! Helped my imagination travel (true) seeing you marque it. Can’t hold to marque you arrogant to play done your energy," Kone posted to X.

"The NFL Players Association is profoundly saddened by the passing of Marshawn Kneeland. His interaction connected those astir him was immeasurable, and his nonaccomplishment is felt profoundly crossed our community. We're moving to guarantee that players person the enactment they need, and our condolences are with Marshawn's household and loved ones," the NFLPA said successful a statement.

COWBOYS DEFENSIVE END MARSHAWN KNEELAND DEAD AT 24

Marshawn Kneeland of the Dallas Cowboys looks connected from the sideline during the nationalist anthem earlier a crippled against the Cincinnati Bengals astatine AT&T Stadium successful Arlington, Texas, Dec. 9, 2024. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

"To our subordinate members, delight retrieve that navigating grief tin beryllium difficult. Lean connected 1 different and instrumentality attraction of your well-being. We promote you to scope retired to america for wellness enactment oregon usage the NFL Life Line."

According to officials, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to marque a postulation halt astir 10:33 p.m. erstwhile the driver, aboriginal identified arsenic Kneeland, refused to stop. Authorities engaged successful a pursuit but yet mislaid show of Kneeland’s vehicle, ending the chase.

His car was aboriginal recovered abandoned, and authorities began searching the area. Kneeland was aboriginal recovered dead.

Frisco police, which assisted successful the DPS pursuit, released a connection saying the abandoned conveyance was recovered by troopers "minutes later" and that Kneeland was believed to person fled connected foot.

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Dallas Cowboys antiaircraft extremity Marshawn Kneeland (94) recovers a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals successful the archetypal fractional astatine AT&T Stadium successful Arlington, Texas, Nov. 3, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

Police said that, during their search, they learned that "Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations."

He was located astatine astir 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Frisco constabulary said the authoritative origin of decease volition beryllium determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office, but helium appeared to person died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

Kneeland was successful his 2nd play with the Cowboys aft being selected 56th wide successful the 2024 NFL Draft. He died conscionable days aft helium recorded his archetypal NFL touchdown successful a crippled against the Arizona Cardinals Monday night.

Fox News' Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report. 

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