Marshawn Kneeland Texted His Family Goodbye Before His Death

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Content warning: This story discusses suicide and suicidal ideation.  

Marshawn Kneeland had a final message to his loved ones.

According to local officials, the Dallas Cowboys defensive end contacted his family by text message shortly before he was found dead in Texas on November 6th, in what appears to be a suicide.

According to police dispatch audio obtained by People magazine, the individual sent a goodbye message to a group of people via text, and authorities are now worried about his well-being.

The dispatcher informed authorities that Marshawn’s girlfriend, Catalina, said he had a history of mental health issues.

“Her quote was,” the dispatcher said, “‘He will end it all.'”

Marshawn’s body was discovered several hours after a car chase with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers, according to the agency. DPS stated that the NFL player didn’t stop when troopers tried to pull him over for a traffic violation on November 5th.

According to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) news release from November 6th, troopers ended the chase when they lost track of the vehicle. The vehicle was later found abandoned near the intersection of Dallas Parkway and Warren Parkway, where it had been involved in a crash.

Authorities say Marshawn’s body was found near an abandoned car early in the morning on November 6th by troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety and officers with the Frisco Police Department.

Police are waiting for the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.

After Marshawn’s death, his family shared a statement expressing their deep sadness and describing his passing as a significant loss.

Marshawn was a beloved football player for the Dallas Cowboys, but his family said he was even more dedicated to his loved ones. In a Facebook post on November 6th, his siblings—AJ, Shawn, and Yahmya Kneeland—shared that he was a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend. They said his kindness touched everyone he knew, and his memory will live on in the hearts of those he inspired.

For a look back at Marshawn’s life in photos, read on.

Marshawn Kneeland‘s football career started long before his time at the NFL.

While in high school in Michigan, Marshawn had a standout senior year, making 110 tackles and 8 sacks on defense. He also excelled on offense, with 20 catches for 330 yards and 5 touchdowns.

After finishing school, Marshawn went to Western Michigan University and played football for four years. During that time, he made 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks.

The athlete was known for his incredible work ethic during his time at school. He consistently spent extra time at the team’s facilities, practicing and studying game films to improve his performance.

Honestly, that’s what Coach Denham said, and it just hit me. He was talking about when you could really see him pulling away from the pack, becoming something…more. It wasn’t a sudden thing, he explained, but a slow, steady climb that left everyone else behind. It was like he was evolving, and we were all just watching it happen. It was amazing, truly amazing.

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Marshawn in the second round of 2024, and team owner Jerry Jones famously told him, “We’re going to put a star on that helmet.”

The young athlete was determined to savor every part of the experience. “This is something I’ll only get to do once,” he explained about draft night, “and I’m just thrilled to be a part of it.”

Marshawn carried his strong work ethic with him when he joined the NFL and began preparing for his rookie season.

As for how he was approaching the NFL, Marshawn just wanted to stick to his game plan. 

After being drafted, he explained he’ll continue to play the same way he always has: with a lot of energy, speed, and physicality. Ultimately, he believes success will depend on making impactful plays during the game.

During his time with the Texas team, the 24-year-old player participated in 18 games, starting four of them. He finished with a total of 26 tackles and one sack.

Just days before his death, Marshawn scored his first touchdown in the league. 

According to his agent, Jonathan Perzley, Marshawn Beast Mode Lynch gave everything he had to football, playing with passion in every practice and game. Perzley expressed immense grief, saying it’s difficult to describe how much his talent and kind spirit will be missed.

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2025-11-08 01:47