Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland Found Dead After Late-Night Chase and Tragedy
DALLAS, TEXAS — The city of Dallas and the entire football world are reeling after the tragic death of Marshawn Kneeland, a 24-year-old defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, who passed away early Thursday morning, November 6, 2025, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The devastating loss of a promising young athlete has left his teammates, coaches, and fans struggling to comprehend the pain that led to such an unthinkable end.
The events leading to Kneeland’s death began late Wednesday night around 10:33 p.m., when Texas Department of Public Safety troopers initiated a traffic stop on the Dallas North Tollway. Authorities reported that Kneeland’s vehicle, a black SUV, was observed speeding and weaving through traffic. When troopers attempted to pull him over, he fled, sparking a brief pursuit.
Troopers eventually lost visual contact with Kneeland’s vehicle near Warren Parkway in Frisco, Texas, where it was later found crashed on the southbound lanes of Dallas Parkway. Witnesses reported that Kneeland exited the wreckage and ran into a nearby wooded area.
Law enforcement launched an extensive search that stretched past midnight, using drones and K-9 units to comb the surrounding area. During the search, officers learned from individuals close to Kneeland that he had recently expressed emotional distress and made statements about ending his life. At approximately 1:31 a.m. Thursday, troopers discovered Kneeland’s body near the site of the crash. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities confirmed that no other individuals were involved in the incident. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled his death a suicide.
The tragedy has struck especially hard within the Dallas Cowboys organization, where Kneeland had begun to emerge as one of the team’s most promising young defenders. Just three days earlier, on Monday Night Football, he recorded his first career NFL touchdown, recovering a blocked punt and returning it for a score against the Arizona Cardinals. His radiant smile after the play, and the way his teammates mobbed him in celebration, now serve as a haunting reminder of the hidden struggles that so many face silently.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kneeland starred at Western Michigan University, where he earned a reputation for his relentless work ethic and leadership both on and off the field. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, a moment he had described as “the realization of my mother’s dream.” His mother, who passed away unexpectedly just weeks before the draft, remained his greatest motivation. Kneeland wore a necklace containing her ashes during every game as a symbol of her presence and guidance.
Friends and family describe Kneeland as gentle, spiritual, and deeply reflective — a man who carried the weight of loss while striving to inspire others. His close friend and college teammate, DeAndre Simmons, said, “He played for more than himself. Everything he did was for his mom. He wanted to make her proud.”
The Cowboys released a statement Thursday morning:
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Marshawn Kneeland. He was an extraordinary young man whose light shone brightly in our locker room and in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and everyone who loved him.”
Head coach Mike McCarthy described him as “the kind of player you root for — humble, driven, and kind.”
Mental health advocates have also spoken out in the wake of Kneeland’s death, emphasizing the increasing pressures young athletes face under the glare of public expectation. Dr. Lisa Forrester, a sports psychologist based in Dallas, noted, “Professional athletes are often seen as invincible, but behind the fame and success, many carry deep pain and trauma that go unseen.”
In honor of Kneeland, the Dallas Cowboys plan to wear helmet decals bearing his initials, “MK,” for the remainder of the season. A candlelight vigil is also being organized by fans and teammates at AT&T Stadium this weekend.
Marshawn Kneeland’s passing is a heartbreaking reminder that success on the field can’t always silence the struggles within. He was a son, teammate, and friend — a young man who chased his dreams while carrying the memory of his late mother close to his heart.
He is survived by his father, Robert Kneeland, his younger sister, Kayla, and a host of teammates who considered him family.
As Dallas and the broader NFL community mourn, the words spoken by his college coach may best capture his legacy:
“Marshawn played every snap with love in his heart. That love is what we’ll remember.”