It has been about a month since the death of Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland, and a circle of friends far removed from the football field are honoring and grieving him.

Kneeland took his own life last month after a welfare check and police chase. His loss is felt not only by his teammates but also by the friends he made while pursuing a different passion — riding motorcycles.

It was that hobby that connected him with a University of North Texas student, Yahya Mahmoud, who quickly became a close friend.

“He was a very humble guy. Very lowkey,” Mahmoud said.

Mahmoud said he didn’t even realize at first that his friend was the same Marshawn Kneeland who played for the Dallas Cowboys.

“Nothing between me and him really changed,” Mahmoud said.

Over the past year, the two rode motorcycles together twice a week, building a friendship rooted in a shared love of the open road.

“There was a vibe around him — it was like seeing a big, giant teddy bear walking in front of you, pretty much,” Mahmoud said.

Mahmoud was watching when Kneeland scored a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.

“We jumped out of our seats, we were screaming and everything,” Mahmoud said.

His congratulatory text would become one of the last messages he ever sent his friend. Days later, he woke up to the news that Kneeland had taken his own life.

“I didn’t go to class. Kind of just self-isolated for three or four days. Just didn’t talk to anyone, really,” Mahmoud said. “It was really devastating. I even texted him, I was like, ‘Bro, is this a prank or something?’ Like, I didn’t really think it was real.”

A month later, he said the loss still doesn’t feel real.

“I used to talk to him on a daily, like, since the day we met. It was almost every single day,” Mahmoud said.

Mahmoud and others joined a memorial ride over the weekend, organized by Adam Zoubi, another friend who rode with Kneeland regularly.

“Remember what he loved to do on this earth,” Zoubi said. “He’s my best friend, man, I’ve been knowing him for a while. Celebrated holidays together. We were together once or twice a week, at least.”

For Mahmoud, the road feels emptier now.

“Anytime he was in a room, he was just always smiling, no matter what,” Mahmoud said. “In every situation, you can just count on him to just be that light in the darkness.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org — callers will be connected with trained counselors available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.