This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Marshawn Kneeland, the 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was found dead after a police pursuit in Texas, police have confirmed.
The Cowboys announced Kneeland’s death Thursday morning, ESPN and the NFL reported.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team stated, according to the report from ESPN. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Police in the Dallas suburb of Frisco said that Kneeland was found dead “with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound” after a vehicle pursuit around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night. A vehicle had allegedly fled from the Texas Department of Public Safety during a pursuit but was found crashed a few minutes later.
Frisco Police said Kneeland, who “had expressed suicidal ideation,” then fled the scene on foot. At around 1:30 a.m., authorities found Kneeland, deceased.
“The cause [and] manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office,” Frisco Police said, adding that the investigation remained ongoing.
Agent Jonathan Perzley earlier asked for privacy.
The defensive end played for Western Michigan University before being drafted in the second round by the Cowboys in 2024.
Kneeland died just days after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 27-17 loss to Arizona on Monday night. His rookie season was off to a promising start before he was sidelined for five games by a knee injury.
Kneeland had his first career sack in the season opener this season against Philadelphia. He played in seven of the nine games this year.
When Nexstar’s WOOD spoke to Kneeland before the 2024 NFL Draft, Kneeland said any team that took him would see he’s the “hardest worker in the building.”
“You’re going to get the same guy every day. You’re going to get a hard-working, pretty good energy, and just the guy who knows what he wants, knows that he’s not going there to play around. He wants to be the best,” Kneeland said at the time. “Anybody that comes through … they’re not going to work harder than me.”
‘He was truly, truly loved’
Before he played at Western Michigan University or was drafted by the Cowboys in 2024, Kneeland went to Godwin Heights High School in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming, where one of his coaches was Carlton Brewster. Saying it was difficult to come to grips with Kneeland’s death, Brewster said it represents a “huge” loss for the community.
“Just a great kid. Always had a smile on his face. Never complained,” Brewster said. “Just a positive, energetic … good kid to be around. You know, one of those kids you look at like, man, this is the type of kid I would love to marry my daughter.”
Brewster said a teacher urged him to get Kneeland on the team his sophomore year. He started on junior varsity, but it was only three or four games before he was called up to varsity amid a number of injuries on the team.
In a statement, WMU Head Football Coach Lance Taylor said his heart was “absolutely broken” over the loss.
“Our entire Bronco Football family is devastated, and we send our deepest prayers to his family, teammates, and all who loved him,” Taylor continued. “Marshawn will forever be a part of the Bronco brotherhood.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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