Marshawn Kneeland, Cowboys defensive end, dead at 24 just days after scoring touchdown
Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive end for the Cowboys, has died at the age of 24, the team announced Thursday morning.
Kneeland died Wednesday night, his agent, Jon Perzley, said in a statement. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Plano police responded to a welfare concern at a home associated with Kneeland before midnight Wednesday but did not make contact with anyone, according to multiple reports.
Kneeland, a 2024 second-round pick, played 17 snaps during the Cowboys’ loss to the Cardinals on Monday night.
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He scored a touchdown on a blocked punt in the 27-17 defeat.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. 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 Cowboys said in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland,” the NFL said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources.”
After starring at Godwin Heights HS in Wyoming, Mich., Kneeland recorded 13 sacks at Western Michigan from 2019-23.
He played in 11 games as a rookie last season and seven games this season, recording one sack.
“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,” Perzley said in a statement. “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. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”