Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died Thursday morning, the team announced.
He was 24. The Cowboys issued a statement but did not reveal the cause of death of the second-year player.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the statement said. “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 Cowboys selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Western Michigan alum had 18 appearances (four starts) in his career, recording 26 tackles, four quarterback hits, one sack and one fumble recovery.
On Monday, in the Cowboys’ 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in the second quarter to score his first career touchdown.
Agent Jonathan Perzley, of Sportstars Inc. issued a statement about his client.
“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, practice, and every moment on the field,” the statement read. “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.
Kneeland experienced heartbreak a few years ago when his mother, Wendy Kneeland, died before the draft.
“It was definitely tough,” Kneeland said after the draft. “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.”
