Dallas Cowboys say defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at 24. Officials said he was found dead in Frisco from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead at 24 of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound” following a pursuit and crash in Frisco Thursday, officials say.
The Dallas Cowboys announced his death in a statement Thursday morning, calling Kneeland a “beloved teammate and member of our organization.”
The Texas Department of Public Safety said troopers tried to conduct a traffic stop shortly after 10:33 p.m. Nov. 5. on a vehicle in the southbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Boulevard.
The driver, later identified as Kneeland, refused to stop, leading troopers to chase the vehicle until they lost sight of it, according to a statement.
The vehicle was later found abandoned after a crash in the southbound lanes of the Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway, officials said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and Frisco Police Department responded to search for the vehicle, officials say. During the course of the search for Kneeland, Frisco police say officers received information that he had “expressed suicidal ideations.”
911 call logs obtained by WFAA indicate that Kneeland may have sent a group text message that prompted the welfare check call.
Plano police said in a statement that they responded to a welfare concern at an address associated with Kneeland shortly before midnight Nov. 6, but didn’t make contact with anyone.
Frisco police said the officers found Kneeland dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 1:30 a.m. The Collin County Medical Examiners Office will determine Kneeland’s official cause of death.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the investigation into Kneeland’s death is ongoing.
“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,” the Dallas Cowboys said in a statement.
The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft from Western Michigan University.
The NFL said in a statement that they’ve been in touch with the Cowboys and have offered resources and support.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources,” the NFL said in a statement shared by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Kneeland’s agent, in a statement shared by NFL insider Ian Rapoport asked for privacy.
“Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words. My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss,” the statement read.
The NFL Players Association in a statement shared by Schefter said they’re “working to ensure that players have the support they need, and our condolences are with Marshawn’s family and friends.”
Kneeland’s death came just days after he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 27-17 loss to Arizona on Monday night, as the Associated Press reports. He played in seven of the nine games this year.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
This is a developing story. WFAA will update this story as additional information becomes available.