Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead early Thursday morning in Frisco, Texas, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after crashing his vehicle following a police chase, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said Thursday. He was 24.
Officers attempted to stop Kneeland’s vehicle at 10:33 p.m. local time, when the driver refused to stop, resulting in a pursuit, which was terminated when DPS troopers lost sight of the car. The vehicle was later located abandoned after being involved in a crash on the southbound lanes of Dallas Parkway. According to the Frisco Police Department, initial reports indicated that Kneeland fled from the scene of the crash on foot. He was found deceased at 1:31 a.m
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the franchise 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 Plano Police Department confirmed to The Athletic that a welfare concern check was conducted at an address associated with Kneeland on Wednesday night at 11:40 p.m. local time, but officers did not find anybody at the residence.
Kneeland was in his second season with the team after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in seven games this season, starting three and tallying 12 tackles with one sack.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. pic.twitter.com/4kowniiC0c
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2025
“The NFL Players Association is deeply saddened by the passing of Marshawn Kneeland,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “His impact on those around him was immeasurable, and his loss is felt profoundly across our community. We’re working to ensure that players have the support they need, and our condolences are with Marshawn’s family and loved ones.”
On Monday, in the Cowboys’ last game before the bye week, Kneeland scored his first career touchdown after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals.
Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., Kneeland spent the majority of his life in western Michigan. He played linebacker and tight end at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Mich., before competing at Western Michigan University, where he earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2023.
Kneeland is the first active NFL player to die during a season since 2018, when Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson was killed after being struck by a car. In 2012, Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car accident shortly after being signed to the team’s practice squad.
In November 2020, Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died after suffering a medical emergency at the team’s headquarters.
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