A DALLAS Cowboys star who scored a major play just three days ago has died at the age of 24.
The Cowboys announced the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland in a statement Thursday morning.
On the Cowboys’ website, the team wrote that players woke up “to the worst news imaginable.”
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the written 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.”
According to TMZ, Kneeland told his family goodbye while suffering an “apparent medical episode.”
Kneeland was found from an “apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound” shortly after midnight on Thursday in Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb, the Frisco Police Department confirmed.
TRAGIC FINAL MOMENTS
TMZ obtained dispatch audio connected to his death in which operators relayed information to his girlfriend.
In the audio, the girlfriend said Kneeland was armed and had a history of mental issues.
Dispatchers also said the NFL called Plano PD about one of its players, saying “subject is texting his family goodbye.”
It was also mentioned that dispatchers were on the phone with the Dallas Cowboys.
Police deployed multiple strategies to find Kneeland, including dogs, drones, and officers.
Kneeland had been pulled over by local police late Wednesday night, but fled troopers, who lost sight of his car briefly before spotting it crashed off a parkway, the Frisco Police Department said.
Kneeland fled on foot, and his body was found about three hours later following an extensive search.
An official cause of death has not been released but will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
A GAME TO REMEMBER
Kneeland’s death comes just days after a season-defining play during Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals when he scored the first touchdown of his professional career.
The play came off the snap as the Cardinals had possession and attempted to punt.
Defensive end Sam Williams blocked the punt, ricocheting the ball off a helmet and launching it into the end zone.
Players from both teams raced to retrieve the ball.
Kneeland was the winner with a scoop and slide that scored the team its first touchdown of the night.
The Cowboys lost the game 27-17, despite the 24-year-old’s highlight-reel moment.
PLAYING THROUGH GRIEF
Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, posted that he was “shattered” to confirm the news of the player’s death.
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
Kneeland was a second-round pick for “America’s Team” during the 2024 NFL draft.
Right before he was slated to get drafted, Kneeland suddenly lost his mother, Wendy.
“It was definitely tough,” Kneeland said after getting drafted.
“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.”
During his rookie season, KNeeland missed six games due to an injury, however the NFL star still managed to play in 11 of the 17 games.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15451491/dallas-cowboys-marshawn-kneeland-dead/
