Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland Dead At 24

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound early Thursday following a police pursuit, authorities said.

The Frisco Police Department said officers responded at around 10:39 p.m. Wednesday to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in a vehicle pursuit that entered the city of Frisco, a suburb north of Dallas. The vehicle had evaded troopers, and was later found crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway.

The driver, identified as Kneeland, fled the scene on foot. Authorities established a perimeter and began a search with assistance from drone and K-9 units.

During the course of the search, officers learned that Kneeland, 24, “had expressed suicidal ideations.” Emergency dispatch audio obtained by TMZ Sports indicates Kneeland’s girlfriend reported he planned to “end it all” and had sent concerning text messages saying goodbye to family members.

The dispatch also indicated an NFL representative had contacted police in Plano, where Kneeland lives, to report he was “texting his family goodbye.”

At around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, authorities found Kneeland deceased from “what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Frisco police said.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the Kneeland family and friends,” police said.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the Dallas Cowboys said in a statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

Kneeland, 24, was originally from Grand Rapids, Mich., and played for Western Michigan University before being drafted by the Cowboys in the second round in 2024.