Marshawn Kneeland’s family has expressed their grief.
Shortly after the Dallas Cowboys confirmed the defensive end had died at 24, his family offered a heartbreaking remembrance of the rising NFL star.
“We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief,” Marshawn’s family, including his siblings AJ Kneeland, Shawn Kneeland and Yahmya Kneeland, wrote in a joint Nov. 6 Facebook statement. “As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field—as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.”
Of his character, they added, “He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.”
The family also expressed appreciation for the kindness they’ve received amid their tragic loss.
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community,” they concluded. “During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.”
Following the news of Marshawn’s death, Texas police confirmed he had died by apparent suicide after crashing while being pursued by authorities.
"Initial reports indicated that a male subject, later identified as 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, TX fled the scene on foot," Frisco police shared in a press release. "Officers established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area with the assistance of the FPD K-9 and Drone units."
The authorities added that they learned the football player “had expressed suicidal ideations” prior to his death, ultimately finding his body around 1:31 a.m. local time on Nov. 6.
As the NFL and the Cowboys—whom he was drafted by in 2024—paid tribute to the late player, Marshawn’s agent Jonathan Perzley also reflected on the life of his “dearest friend.”
“I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”
He concluded, “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.”
Read on for a look back at Marshawn’s life in photos.
Promising Talent
Marshawn Kneeland's football career started long before his time at the NFL.
During his senior year of high school in Michigan, Marshawn achieved an impressive 110 tackles and eight sacks on defense as well as 20 receptions for 330 yards and five touchdowns on offense.
A Rising Star
After graduating, Marshawn committed to Western Michigan University, where he achieved 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks across his four years.
A Standout Player
During his time at the school, the athlete's work ethic helped him stand out, going to the team's facilities as often as he could to train and watch game footage.
As his coach David Denham put it, "That's when you started to see the gradual separation between him and some of the other guys."
Reaching New Heights
Marshawn was the Dallas Cowboys' second-round pick in 2024, the team owner Jerry Jones telling him at the time, "Marshawn, we're gonna put a star on that helmet."
For the young athlete, he tried to soak up every moment. "It's a once in a lifetime experience for me," he said of draft night, "so I'm just excited to be here."
Preparing for the Big Leagues
Marshawn's work ethic stuck with him as he transitioned into the NFL, preparing for his first season with the team.
The Next Chapter
As for how he was approaching the NFL, Marshawn just wanted to stick to his game plan.
"I'm going to be the same type of player I've always been," he said after being drafted. "Physical, fast, high-fitness, high-effort, high-motor. It's basically going to come down to making plays."
Putting in the Work
Throughout his almost two seasons on the Texas team, the 24-year-old amassed 26 tackles and one sack across 18 games, including four starts.
Milestone Achievement
Just days before his death, Marshawn scored his first touchdown in the league.
As his agent Jonathan Perzley said of the player following his death, "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.”