Marshawn Kneeland’s Passes Away Just Days After Scoring First NFL Touchdown
The news of the 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end’s death sent shockwaves through the NFL community. Kneeland, a Plano resident, was found dead early Thursday morning (November 6). The Cowboys released a heartfelt statement:
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Born July 8, 2001, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Godwin Heights High School alum excelled at Western Michigan University from 2019 to 2023.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His rookie season brought challenges, including injuries that sidelined him after 11 games and 14 tackles. Despite the setbacks, coaches and the press saw immense potential, praising his understanding of the game.
Expectations were high for the 2025 season. On November 3rd, Kneeland had a career-defining moment during a Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring his first NFL touchdown after recovering a blocked punt. Sadly, his life was cut short just days later.
Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan “Jon” Perzley, shared this heartfelt message:
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night.
I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.
My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
NFL Player Marshawn Kneeland’s Cause Of Death Revealed; Girlfriend Warned Police ‘He Was Armed And Would End It All’
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) ruled Kneeland’s death a suicide, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to their statement, troopers attempted to stop Kneeland for a traffic violation on the Dallas North Tollway. When he refused, a pursuit ensued.
“[Troopers] attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Blvd. The driver refused to stop, resulting in a pursuit with DPS Troopers.”
The troopers ended the pursuit after losing sight of Kneeland’s vehicle. Minutes later, they found the wrecked car on Dallas Parkway. Police audio obtained by TMZ Sports revealed that Kneeland’s body was found in a nearby porta potty around 1:30 AM.
The audio also detailed a call from Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, 22, who told dispatchers about his history of mental illness and warned that he was armed and “will end it all.” Dispatchers noted that Kneeland’s family had received a “goodbye” text, confirming their worst fears.
According to the Daily Mail, Mancera has not been answering calls from her family. Her cousin, Lexis Mancera Guerra, shared, “She won’t answer to anybody. She won’t talk. I don’t know what’s happening until I fly down there. I’m going down to support her.”
NFL Player Marshawn Kneeland Dies Nearly 2 Years After Death Of Mother, Whose Ashes He Wore In Necklace
Kneeland’s passing comes almost two years after the unexpected death of his mother, Wendy Kneeland, at the age of 45. Her death occurred just before he was drafted into the NFL. On February 18, 2024, as Kneeland prepared for the NFL scouting combine, his mother passed.
The Daily Mail reported that a medical examiner found oxycodone, morphine, gabapentin, duloxetine, and cyclobenzaprine in her system. The details surrounding the presence of these drugs remain unknown.
Kneeland spoke previously about his mother’s passing:
“It was definitely tough. I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL’ and I made it.
It’s a hard situation just knowing she got to see me potentially going to the NFL and going through [the process]. She’s still with me. I got this urn of her ashes I carry with me everywhere. I still feel like she’s there watching over me.”
According to the Dallas Morning News, his mother also dreamed of him making it to the NFL. He honored her memory by carrying her ashes in a small urn on a necklace.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, by texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or by going to 988lifeline.org.
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