The Dallas Cowboys are facing a heartbreak that no team should ever have to endure. Defensive end Marshawn Kneeland passed away during the team’s bye week, just days after celebrating his first NFL touchdown. Kneeland, a second-round draft pick from Western Michigan in 2024, had quickly become a key part of the Cowboys’ defense, especially after Micah Parsons was traded earlier this season. Known as much for his work ethic as his kind personality, Kneeland left a lasting impression on everyone around him, making his sudden death even harder to process.
Since news of his passing broke, the Cowboys have been supporting one another through the grief. Coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke of the strength of the locker room and the bond his players share, telling reporters, "We’ve got an incredible locker room, that’s where the culture of what we’re trying to build. We are bonded more than any of us ever could have thought." The team is leaning on each other while honoring the memory of their late teammate.
Dallas Cowboys honor late Marshawn Kneeland in multiple ways
The team has put several tributes in place to honor Kneeland for the rest of the season. Players will wear helmet decals in his memory, with the design finalized by his teammates, according to ESPN and Todd Archer. In addition, the Cowboys will wear commemorative shirts before their November 17 game against the Las Vegas Raiders and their November 23 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, which will be the team’s first home game since Kneeland’s death. Fans at AT&T Stadium will also see a video tribute before the November 23 game. Kneeland was the first active NFL player to die since Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson in 2024. All Week 10 games observed a moment of silence in his honor before kickoff.
Authorities confirmed that Kneeland died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound early on November 6. Police had tried to stop his car for a traffic violation, and after a brief pursuit, his body was found near a crash site. The Cowboys’ director of security had requested a welfare check at Kneeland’s home earlier that night. According to TMZ, Kneeland’s girlfriend told police that he had a history of mental health struggles and had threatened to "end it all," and dispatch audio revealed he had been "texting his family goodbye."
The NFL and NFL Players Association have provided counseling to help the Cowboys cope with the loss. As the team returns to the field, the players are focused on honoring Kneeland’s memory while coming together as a team.
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