Dallas Cowboys Defensive End Marshawn Kneeland Tragically Passes Away

FRISCO, Texas — Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, died Thursday morning at the age of 24. The team announced his passing in a heartfelt statement, expressing their deep sorrow.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the statement read. “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 circumstances surrounding Kneeland’s death have not been disclosed. He was a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, joining the Cowboys after an impressive college career at Western Michigan. Kneeland had recently scored his first career touchdown, recovering a blocked punt during a Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Kneeland’s former coach Mike Zimmer shared his admiration for the young athlete, stating, “He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard and loved playing the game.” He added that the last conversation he had with Kneeland was one of encouragement, telling him to continue being himself for a successful career.

Over his short professional career, Kneeland played a total of 18 games, starting four. He accounted for 26 tackles, one sack, and several tackles for loss. In college, he excelled at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, and went on to make a name for himself at Western Michigan, earning a spot on the second-team All Mid-American Conference.

This tragedy echoes a past incident within the Cowboys organization, as Kneeland is the second player to die during a season in recent years, following linebacker Jerry Brown’s death in 2012.

Kneeland’s passing has left a significant impact on his teammates and the entire football community, which has extended their condolences. His agent, Jon Perzley, expressed his heartbreak over the loss, stating, “To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”

This is an ongoing story, and more information will be shared as it develops.