Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, the team announced. The Texas Department of Public Safety and Frisco police said he died by suicide after a police chase.
DPS released the following statement Thursday morning:
“On November 5, 2025, at 10:33 p.m., 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 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-year-old) Marshawn Kneeland, of Plano, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
In recordings of police dispatch audio reviewed by the Star-Telegram, officers are informed that Kneeland’s girlfriend reported he was armed with a gun, had a history of mental health issues, and that he sent her a message saying he would “end it all.” Dispatchers also say in the audio that Kneeland texted his family to say goodbye. Officers say in the audio that they found his body inside a portable toilet about three hours after the pursuit began.
Frisco police are conducting the investigation of Kneeland’s death. In a statement Thursday morning, Frisco police said that their officers responded about 10:39 p.m. Wednesday to help DPS troopers find Kneeland’s vehicle after they lost sight of him. Troopers located the crashed vehicle in Frisco a few minutes after the chase ended.
Investigators believe that Kneeland left the scene of the crash on foot. As officers searched for him, they received information indicating that Kneeland “had expressed suicidal ideations,” Frisco police said in a news release.
Frisco police said they found Kneeland’s body at 1:31 a.m. Thursday with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to confirm his cause and manner of death.
Frisco police used a dog and drones in the search. After finding the crashed car registered to Kneeland, Frisco officials also reached out to police in Plano, where Kneeland lived, asking them to try to get in contact with him.
Plano police first responded to Kneeland’s home, in the 6000 block of Columbus Avenue, about 11 p.m. but did not find anyone there. A Plano Police Department spokesperson said they received a separate call about 11:40 p.m. Wednesday “for a welfare concern associated with Mr. Kneeland.” Officers went to his apartment a second time, but again found no one there.
Kneeland was a second-round pick out of Western Michigan in 2024 and had played in 18 games for the Cowboys. He combined for 26 tackles including five tackles for loss and one sack. In his final game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, he recovered a blocked punt for his only NFL touchdown.
Here is the Cowboys’ official statement:
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.”
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, he attended Godwin Heights High School, where he was a dominant linebacker and tight end. He committed to Western Michigan out of high school and remained at the program throughout his career, although he almost transferred to Colorado when Deion Sanders was hired as head coach. At Western Michigan, he compiled 148 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks in 38 games.
A Senior Bowl participant, Kneeland emerged as an early draft pick because of his run-stopping ability and big frame at 6-foot-3, 268 pounds. The Cowboys selected him with the No. 56 overall pick in 2024 after selecting offensive tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round.
The Cowboys are on a bye week and are not scheduled to be back in the facility until next week leading up to their game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 17. The NFL announced that it has provided counseling services and support to the team during this difficult time.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts, there is help available. Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Nick Harris Harriet Ramos
The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)
(TNS)
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