- Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died at the age of 24.
- Police have characterized his death as a possible suicide.
- Kneeland’s body was found by authorities following a vehicle pursuit and search.
- The Collin County medical examiner’s office will ultimately determine the official cause of death.
This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
The NFL world was rocked on the morning of Nov. 6, when the Dallas Cowboys announced the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. Later in the day, the Frisco (Texas) Police Department provided further details regarding Kneeland’s passing.
A second-round draft pick out of Western Michigan University last year, Kneeland, 24, had started three games in his second professional season and found himself temporarily in the spotlight of the Cowobys’ Nov. 3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium.
Further information is expected to become available in the coming days and weeks. For now, here’s what we know about what happened to Kneeland.
Marshawn Kneeland cause of death
Frisco Police have characterized Kneeland’s death as a ‘possible suicide,’ saying he suffered an ‘apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound’ and ‘had expressed suicidal ideations.’
When will Marshawn Kneeland’s death be determined?
The Frisco Police provided no timeline regarding Kneeland’s autopsy and don’t plan to provide further details while their investigation is ongoing. The cause and manner of his death will be determined by the Collin County medical examiner’s office.
Timeline preceding Marshawn Kneeland’s death
The Frisco Police became involved with what turned out to be Kneeland’s final hours Nov. 5 after a vehicle pursuit involving another agency entered Frisco, where the Cowboys training facility is based.
10:39 p.m. CT, Nov. 5: Frisco Police joined the Texas Department of Public Safety in the hunt for the vehicle, apparently driven by Kneeland, after it had evaded authorities following its entry into the city. Authorities found the vehicle, which had crashed but been abandoned, Kneeland apparently leaving the scene on foot, according to the police. K-9 units and drones were dispatched to search for him.
1:31 a.m. CT, Nov. 6: Kneeland’s body was found with what was believed to be a lethal self-inflicted gunshot wound.
When do the Cowboys play again?
Dallas’ week began eventfully, the team falling 27-17 to the Cardinals on ‘Monday Night Football,’ dropping its record to 3-5-1. Kneeland recovered a blocked punt for what turned out to be his only professional touchdown. Despite the loss, owner Jerry Jones swung deals for linebacker Logan Wilson and Pro Bowl defensive lineman Quinnen Williams ahead of the league’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline on Nov. 4.
But it ended in tragedy as the focus turned from the football field to Kneeland.
The Cowboys are on bye for Week 10. Their next game is an ‘MNF’ date with the Raiders in Las Vegas on Nov. 17. Players typically don’t speak to reporters during a bye week.
