Cowboys’ defensive end Marshawn Kneeland found dead of apparent suicide at 24 after evading officers, police say
Marshawn Kneeland
I’m sorry to share — defensive end Marshawn Kneeland of the Dallas Cowboys has died at the age of 24.
Here’s a summary of what is publicly known so far:
What happened
- Kneeland was reported missing after a vehicle crash on the night of Nov. 5, 2025. Authorities attempted a traffic stop for his vehicle, which fled and later was found crashed.
- During the search following the crash, police were alerted that he may be suicidal.
- He was found deceased early Nov. 6 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- The official cause and manner of death are pending from the medical examiner.
Who he was
- Kneeland played defensive end and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan University.
- He was in his second NFL season and had recently scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt.
- His death has been met with tributes from the team and agents, noting his “talent, spirit and goodness”.
Why this is important
This is a tragic loss at a very young age. Beyond his on-field potential, this situation brings attention to mental health, especially in high-pressure professional sports environments. The fact that there was a welfare check and indications of suicidal ideation highlight how urgent and serious these issues can become.
What we should keep in mind
- Details are still emerging; some facts may evolve as the medical examiner’s report comes in.
- For anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues: in the U.S., call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- The focus now is on supporting his family, his teammates, and everyone affected by this loss.
If you like, I can pull together a full timeline of his career and events leading up to this, or dig into how teams handle mental-health crises.
