On Thursday the Dallas Cowboys announced that defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, 24, was found dead after a late‑night incident in Frisco, Texas. Frisco police said Kneeland fled a vehicle after a crash on southbound Dallas Parkway on Wednesday evening; a multi‑agency search ended when officers located him at 1:31am, and authorities say he appeared to have taken his own life. The Collin County medical examiner’s office will formally determine cause and manner of death. The Cowboys called Kneeland a beloved teammate and asked for privacy for his girlfriend Catalina and his family as investigators continue work.
Key takeaways
- Marshawn Kneeland, 24, was a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys; the team announced his death on Thursday.
- Frisco police say Kneeland fled after a crash on southbound Dallas Parkway Wednesday night and was found at 1:31am following a multi‑agency search.
- The Collin County medical examiner will determine cause and manner of death; officials described the incident as an apparent suicide.
- Kneeland was a second‑round pick by the Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft and played 11 games as a rookie.
- He took on a larger role in 2025 and scored his first NFL touchdown on Monday by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone during a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
- The NFL said it offered support and counseling resources to the team; the Cowboys and his agent have issued tributes.
- Kneeland’s mother, Wendy, died shortly before he was drafted in 2024 — a loss Kneeland said he carried into his early career.
Background
Marshawn Kneeland rose to prominence at Western Michigan, where his combination of size and athleticism made him a second‑round prospect for NFL teams. The Cowboys selected him in round two of the 2024 draft; he saw playing time as a rookie, appearing in 11 games and earning growing responsibility in 2025. Teammates and coaches have described him as energetic and committed on and off the field.
Kneeland’s personal history received attention during the draft cycle: his mother, Wendy, died shortly before he was selected, an event he said had deeply affected him. The NFL and teams have in recent years expanded mental‑health and player‑welfare programs, but high‑profile losses continue to prompt questions about how well support systems reach individual players. The Cowboys organization has faced the death of a player during a season before: linebacker Jerry Brown died in 2012 in a traffic crash involving teammate Josh Brent.
Main event
According to the Frisco Police Department, a vehicle pursuit ended in a crash on southbound Dallas Parkway on Wednesday night. Kneeland exited the vehicle and ran from the scene; multiple agencies joined the search that concluded in the early hours of Thursday. Officers located Kneeland at 1:31am, and investigators later described the incident as an apparent self‑inflicted death. The Collin County medical examiner will complete the official examination to establish cause and manner.
The Dallas Cowboys issued a brief team statement saying they were “extremely saddened” and asked for privacy for his girlfriend Catalina and his family. The NFL confirmed it had spoken with the team and offered counseling resources. Jonathan Perzley, Kneeland’s agent, paid tribute on social media, calling Kneeland a friend and praising his climb from Western Michigan to the NFL; Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor also released a statement remembering Kneeland’s leadership and infectious energy.
Team personnel and law‑enforcement sources said the matter remains under active investigation; the Cowboys and local authorities said they will not comment on investigative specifics while authorities gather facts. Collin County medical examiner procedures typically take several days to weeks depending on tests requested, officials said.
Analysis & implications
The immediate implications are both personal and institutional. For the Cowboys, the loss of a young rotational player reverberates through locker‑room routines, game planning and morale; teams normally deploy grief‑counseling resources and adjust personnel plans in the short term. From a leaguewide perspective, each such death renews attention to player mental‑health protocols and the practical reach of support systems for young athletes who may be living away from long‑standing personal networks.
There are also operational questions about pursuits involving public figures. Police pursuit policies, interagency coordination and post‑pursuit welfare checks are routinely reviewed after incidents that end in serious injury or death. Civil and criminal inquiries are distinct: investigators will establish facts about the vehicle pursuit and crash, while the medical examiner will determine cause and manner; either process can prompt policy reviews without implying legal fault.
Media coverage and public reaction can shape the story’s aftermath. Rapid social‑media dissemination of incomplete information risks amplifying unverified claims; conversely, timely, factual updates from official sources help families and teammates navigate grieving while preserving investigative integrity. The balance between privacy for the grieving and public interest in events involving public figures remains a recurring tension.
Comparison & data
| Season | Games played | Notable milestone | Draft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | Rookie season appearances | Selected Round 2 |
| 2025 | Increased role | First TD: recovered blocked punt vs. Arizona (Monday) | — |
These figures underline Kneeland’s rapid ascent from college prospect to NFL contributor over two seasons. The rookie‑year baseline and the 2025 uptick illustrate how quickly young players can become integral parts of special‑teams packages and defensive rotations; teams and analysts often use such short‑term trajectories when projecting development and contract decisions.
Reactions & quotes
Team, league and personal responses were immediate and echoed similar themes of shock and condolence. The Cowboys asked for privacy; the NFL confirmed it had offered support resources to the club. Public tributes focused on Kneeland’s character and work ethic, while officials emphasized that investigative and medical processes are ongoing.
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Jonathan Perzley, agent
Perzley’s brief statement framed Kneeland’s rise and the personal loss felt by those close to him. Agents commonly speak for families in the immediate hours after a death, offering both factual confirmation and a public appeal for privacy.
“My heart is absolutely broken over the loss of Marshawn Kneeland… His leadership, energy, and smile were infectious.”
Lance Taylor, Western Michigan head coach
Coach Taylor’s comments emphasized Kneeland’s impact on his college program and the personal bond formed during Kneeland’s development — the kind of testimony programs give when a former player dies young. The NFL’s brief statement confirmed contact with the club and offered league‑level counseling resources.
Unconfirmed
- The precise sequence of events between the vehicle crash and the time officers located Kneeland remains under investigation and has not been publicly reconstructed in full.
- No official toxicology or autopsy results have been released; the medical examiner has not yet published a cause or manner of death.
Bottom line
Marshawn Kneeland’s death is a tragic loss for his family, the Cowboys organization and the wider football community. Initial reports from Frisco police describe a crash and subsequent search that ended in an apparent suicide, but formal determinations await the medical examiner’s findings and follow‑up investigation. Tributes from his agent, college coach and teammates highlight a young athlete who had overcome personal loss and who had begun to establish himself in the NFL.
Beyond immediate mourning, expect officials to review the facts of the pursuit and crash, and for the team and league to emphasize bereavement and counseling support. For readers in crisis, local helplines are available: in the US dial or text 988 or text HOME to 741741; other international numbers are listed at befrienders.org.