November 06, 2025
Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland after a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Kneeland passed away on Thursday morning at age 24.
Marshawn Kneeland was a tenacious small-college edge rusher who beat the odds to become a 2024 second-round pick for one of the NFL's signature franchises.
Early Thursday morning, the young, promising pass rusher for the Dallas Cowboys died. He was 24 years old.
According to a release from Frisco, Texas, police, Kneeland died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase that included Kneeland crashing his vehicle and officers being informed that Kneeland "had expressed suicidal ideations."
The eluding of police troopers began around 10:39 p.m. Wednesday night and continued into the Dallas suburb of Frisco, according to the statement. The chase ended with police finding Kneeland dead at 1:31 a.m. No more details were provided, and the cause of death will be determined upon an examination.
Here is the full statement from the Frisco Police Department, per NFL Network:
Statement from the Frisco (Texas) Police Department on the death of Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland: pic.twitter.com/MWOiBy6b8a
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 6, 2025
In a statement, the Cowboys described Kneeland as a "beloved teammate and member of our organization" and sent thoughts and prayers to his family and Kneeland's girlfriend, Catalina.
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 6, 2025
The NFL also released a statement, saying the league "has been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources."
Kneeland belonged to a rotation of young Cowboys edge rushers that prompted owner/general manager Jerry Jones to trade star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers just before the start of the season in exchange for draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
On Monday night, Kneeland jumped on a block punt in the end zone for his first career NFL touchdown – a signature moment for him despite the Cowboys losing, 27-17, to Arizona.
Cowboys block the punt and recover for a touchdown!
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2025
AZvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/JIYWSGb85q
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Kneeland spent five seasons at Western Michigan before being drafted by the Cowboys. He finished with 13 sacks and 27.5 tackles for a loss in 38 games to go along with three forced fumbles. He was known as a relentless, high-motor edge defender whose athleticism favored a high upside.
He ran a 4.75 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and tested well in many categories, earning a 9.54 out of 10 in his Relative Athletic Score:
Marshawn Kneeland is a DT prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.54 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 75 out of 1620 DT from 1987 to 2024.
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 1, 2024
Splits projectedhttps://t.co/8WD8Ov9CdT pic.twitter.com/T3ckIUl4vr
Kneeland's agent, Jon Perzley, released a statement that said his "heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him..." and asked that the public give Kneeland's family and loved ones "they privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss."
A statement from Marshawn Kneeland’s agent Jon Perzley on the passing of his client, #Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland, at the age of 24. pic.twitter.com/NlM9aCgdje
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 6, 2025
The Cowboys are on their bye week and won't play again until Monday, Nov. 17, against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
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