What We Know About the Death of Cowboys Player Marshawn Kneeland

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, one of the NFL’s most promising young defenders, has died at just 24 years old. His agent and the team confirmed the news Thursday morning, sending shockwaves through the football world and prompting an outpouring of grief from teammates, fans, and league officials. Here’s what we know so far.

The announcement

The Cowboys shared the news in a formal statement.

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

His agent, Jonathan Perzley, echoed the heartbreak in an emotional tribute on Instagram.

“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. 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,” the agent’s statement said. “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 Players' Association also released a statement about his death. 

"His impact on those around him 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."

Who was Marshawn Kneeland?

Kneeland was a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys. Kneeland entered the league with high expectations. The Cowboys selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan, where he’d built a reputation as a strong leader on that team.

He played two season on the Dallas team and appeared in 18 games. Off the field, Kneeland was known as soft-spoken, determined, and deeply close with his family and longtime girlfriend Catalina, who was mentioned directly in the Cowboys’ statement.

This is apparently the second major tragedy for the Kneeland family as his mother died without notice not long before he was officially chosen by the Cowboys last April. 

How did he die?

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that Lynch died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase in Frisco, Texas, in which Lynch crashed his car. According to The Athletic, the chase began at 10:33 p.m. local time Wednesday. Kneeland didn’t continued driving when officers tried to stop him. Officers lost sight of the car, which was found empty after it crashed on the Dallas Parkway. Kneeland reportedly fled on foot.