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Update, 11/6/10:45 a.m: This story has been updated to include information on the cause of Marshawn Kneeland’s death and a statement from police.
Update, 11/6/2025, 9:35 a.m.: This is a developing story and has been updated with new information, including a statement from Marshawn Kneeland’s agent.
Marshawn Kneeland, the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 second-round draft pick, has died, the team announced on Thursday.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the statement shared by NFL reporter Ian Rappaport 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.”
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The 24-year-old defensive star joined the Cowboys after excelling at Western Michigan University, where he won Mid-American All-Conference honors after recording 57 tackles during his final season with the school.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Kneeland died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase that ended in Frisco. According to a statement from the Frisco Police Department, Kneeland’s body was found hours after he fled in a vehicle from police during a stop for a traffic violation on the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Road.
On November 5, 2025, at approximately 10:39 p.m., the Frisco Police Department responded to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered the city of Frisco. After losing visual of the vehicle, troopers located it minutes later, crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway.
Initial reports indicated that a male subject, later identified as 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, TX fled the scene on foot. Officers established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area with the assistance of the FPD K-9 and Drone units.
During the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations. Kneeland was later located at 1:31a.m., deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The cause/manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
TMZ Sports obtained police dispatch audio that details Kneeland appears to have told his family goodbye during a “mental health episode.”
Over his two seasons with the Cowboys, Kneeland was a regular starter for the team, and during Monday’s loss to the Phoenix Cardinals, Kneeland scored his only career NFL touchdown when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.
Notes expressing shock and disbelief over Kneeland’s sudden death began appearing on social media just before 9 a.m. on Thursday morning. Mike Zimmer, the former Cowboys defensive coordinator who coached Kneeland last year, appeared on the NFL Network to give his thoughts on Kneeland’s death.
“He was a great person, eager to learn … wanted to be great. He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard-loved playing the game,” Zimmer said. “My last conversation with him was keep being you, you’re going to have a great career.”
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, said in a statement given to ESPN. “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. 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.”
There are many emergency resources available to people in a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide. For 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more, text, call, or chat 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Text ‘HOME’ to 741741 to be connected with a counselor. The Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative website offers links to several crisis lines, including those offering help for veterans, law enforcement officers and youths, among others.
