Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland dies at 24
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, the team announced. He was in his second NFL season, reports BritPanorama.
The Dallas Cowboys expressed their grief in a statement, noting, “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 organisation. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, also shared his sorrow, stating, “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. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”
Perzley added, “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.”
The NFL released a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland. 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 counselling resources.”
The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan. His cause of death has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Just days before his death, Kneeland scored his first career NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt during a game against the Arizona Cardinals. In 18 games played, the defensive lineman recorded 26 tackles, four quarterback hits, and one sack. His 2024 rookie campaign had shown promise before he was sidelined for five games due to a knee injury.
Kneeland’s first career sack came in this year’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he attended high school in Wyoming, Michigan. His passing marks another tragic event for the Dallas Cowboys franchise, as he is the second player to die during the season in recent years, following linebacker Jerry Brown’s death in a car crash in 2012.
Amid the sorrow, tributes have started pouring in from across the sports world, a testament to how impactful Kneeland was in his brief career. The Cowboys are currently on their bye week and are not scheduled to return to practice until Monday.
The sudden loss of such a young talent serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of the sport.
