Marshawn Kneeland’s Family Breaks Silence on His Death

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Marshawn Kneeland’s family has expressed their grief.

Immediately after the Dallas Cowboys announced the tragic death of the 24-year-old defensive end, his family shared a touching and sad tribute to the promising NFL player.

Marshawn’s family—including his siblings AJ, Shawn, and Yahmya Kneeland—shared a statement on November 6th expressing their deep sadness over his unexpected passing. They said they are heartbroken and still trying to come to terms with their loss. While Marshawn was building a career with the Dallas Cowboys, they emphasized that he was even more cherished as a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.

Those who knew him remembered him as a kind, determined, and humble man with a loving heart. He had a positive impact on everyone he met, and his inspiring spirit will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

The family also expressed appreciation for the kindness they’ve received amid their tragic loss. 

We’re incredibly thankful for all the love and support we’ve received from our friends, fans, and the community. As we grieve, we kindly ask for privacy as we come together as a family to celebrate and remember Marshawn’s life.

After Marshawn’s death, Texas police reported he appeared to have died by suicide following a car crash that occurred while he was being chased by law enforcement.

According to a Frisco police press release, 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, Texas, ran away from the scene. Officers quickly set up a search area, using K-9 units and drones to help find him.

Officials stated that the football player had previously talked about ending his life. His body was discovered around 1:31 a.m. local time on November 6th.

While the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys—the team that drafted him in 2024—honored the recently deceased player, Marshawn’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, shared his memories of his close friend.

He shared on Instagram how he watched Marshawn transform from an aspiring college player at Western Michigan into a well-respected professional with the Dallas Cowboys. He described Marshawn as someone who gave his all to football, pouring his heart into every play and practice. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of someone with such talent, spirit, and kindness, saying it was a pain he struggled to describe.

He expressed his deep sadness for the loss, saying he felt heartbroken for the player’s family, teammates, and all who cared for him. He wished them strength and offered the full support of the football world during this incredibly difficult time.

Read on for a look back at Marshawn’s life in photos. 

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

While in high school in Michigan, Marshawn was a standout player, recording 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.

Throughout his time in school, the athlete was known for his dedication. He consistently spent extra time at the team’s facilities, practicing and studying game films to improve his skills.

According to his coach, David Denham, that’s when he really began to stand out from the rest of the players.

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 second of the experience. He described draft night as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and expressed his excitement to be a part of it.

Honestly, even when Marshawn got to the NFL, that incredible work ethic never left him. He was already prepping and grinding for his first season – it was amazing to watch, even from afar! You could just tell he was built differently.

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

After being drafted, the player said he plans to continue playing the same way he always has: with a lot of energy, speed, and physical toughness. 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. 

Oh man, when I heard about Marshawn, it just wrecked me. His agent, Jonathan Perzley, said it best, you know? He said Marshawn literally gave everything he had to football – every single play, every practice, everything. And losing someone with that kind of talent, that energy, that goodness… Perzley couldn’t even find the words, and honestly, neither can I. It’s just… devastating.

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2025-11-07 00:55