The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with a tragedy after the death of Marshawn Kneeland. Just a few days after playing on Monday Night Football, the news of Kneeland’s passing came out on Thursday. Plenty of players have posted remembrances since then.

Safety Juanyeh Thomas, unfortunately, had to call out a section of fans for some of the messages he received. Thomas revealed people are asking him to use Kneeland’s death as inspiration to play better down the stretch. Rightfully so, he is not too concerned with that at the moment.

“Stay outta my DM with the ‘this if this doesn’t spark Yalls defense,’” Thomas said via X. “… I could care less about that shit right now… I just lost a brother , that I bled , sweated and cried tears with… Yall so caught up in this sports stuff , that y’all Mfs forget we just like y’all… But I expect that from y’all…..”

Kneeland and Thomas were teammates over the course of two seasons. Both were drafted by the Cowboys, only to play together under Mike Zimmer last year and Matt Eberflus for nine games.

Thankfully for Dallas, there is no football game to think about this weekend. A bye week means the opportunity to reflect and remember Kneeland continues on. The Cowboys are back on the field next Monday night, heading up to Las Vegas to face off against the Las Vegas Raiders.

More on the death of Marshawn Kneeland

Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on Kneeland’s death, saying it was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Not too long after, the Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement on the matter.

“Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Blvd,” the statement read. “The driver refused to stop, resulting in a pursuit with DPS Troopers. However, DPS Troopers lost sight of the vehicle, and the pursuit was terminated.

“The vehicle was later located abandoned and had been involved in a crash on the southbound lanes of Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. DPS Aircraft and Troopers, along with the Frisco Police Department, searched the immediate area and found the driver, 24 YOA, Marshawn Kneeland, of Plano, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

Kneeland was a second-round pick of the Cowboys back in 2024. He played in seven games this season, three of which were starts. In total, the pass rusher recorded 12 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and a sack.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report