Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has tragically died at the age of 24, the team and his agent confirmed Thursday morning. “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Kneeland died by suicide following a police pursuit. Authorities said the incident began when troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Boulevard. The driver, later identified as Kneeland, fled before his car was found crashed and abandoned nearby. Officers later discovered him deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a portable toilet close to the scene, per police audio obtained by TMZ.
The heartbreaking news came just two days after Kneeland delivered a standout performance during Monday Night Football, where he scored his first career touchdown by recovering a blocked punt against the Arizona Cardinals. His agent, Jonathan Perzley, described himself as “shattered,” calling Kneeland not just a client but “a close friend and an incredible young man.” Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer remembered him as “tough, humble, and full of promise.”
Born October 17, 2000, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kneeland rose from Western Michigan University to the NFL, where he quickly earned a reputation for his strength, discipline, and relentless drive. His passing has left the football community in mourning, with teammates, coaches, and fans uniting to remember a rising star gone far too soon.
