Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, the team confirmed Wednesday. Details surrounding his death have not been released.
Kneeland’s passing comes during his rookie season with the Cowboys,having been drafted in 2024 after a collegiate career at southern Utah. He was a second-round pick, selected 42nd and had appeared in nine games this season, recording three sacks and 17 tackles. The Cowboys are scheduled to play the Raiders in Las Vegas on Monday, but the team’s immediate plans are uncertain following this tragic news.
Kneeland faced personal tragedy prior to entering the NFL, with the sudden death of his mother, wendy, as he prepared for the draft. “It was definitely tough,” Kneeland told the Dallas Morning News at the time.”I just managed it.She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her,’I’m going to the NFL’ and I made it.” He revealed he carried an urn containing her ashes with him, stating, “She’s still with me. I still feel like she’s there watching over me.” According to reports, Kneeland wore his mother’s ashes in a necklace after being drafted.
The Cowboys institution has not yet issued a formal statement beyond confirming his death. The NFL community has begun to react to the news, with tributes expected to follow.
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