Updated With Cause of Death:
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, his agent and the team confirmed Thursday morning.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the Cowboys said per PEOPLE. “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 Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Thursday that Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died by suicide per the New York Post.
Authorities said the 24-year-old’s death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit. According to a DPS statement, troopers attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation on the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Boulevard. The driver, later identified as Kneeland, refused to stop, sparking a chase that ended when officers lost sight of the vehicle.
The car was later found abandoned and crashed nearby. Shortly afterward, Kneeland was discovered dead inside a portable toilet close to the scene, according to police audio obtained by TMZ.
Marshawn Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, said he was “shattered” to confirm that his client and close friend died Wednesday night. The 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end passed away just two days after a standout performance on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals. During the game, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt in the second quarter and scored a touchdown, giving the Cowboys their first points. Former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who retired earlier this year, remembered Kneeland as a “tough” player.
According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Plano police officers responded to a “welfare concern” at Marshawn Kneeland’s home around 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday. Officers reportedly were unable to make contact with anyone at the residence.
When contacted by the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for the Plano Police Department directed all questions to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Frisco Police Department for further details. However, neither agency was immediately available for comment.
Marshawn Kneeland was a rising NFL star and defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, known for his strength, work ethic, and determination on the field. Born on October 17, 2000, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kneeland played college football at Western Michigan University, where he became one of the Mid-American Conference’s top defensive players. His explosive athleticism and leadership earned him attention from scouts across the league.
