FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away Thursday morning, the team announced.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family,” the team said in a statement. He was 24 years old.
The Cowboys have not disclosed any details regarding the cause of Kneeland’s death.
Kneeland was the Cowboys’ second-round pick out of Western Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft, selected 56th overall. In Monday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, he scored the Cowboys’ first touchdown by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.
The team is currently on their bye week and is not scheduled to return to practice until Monday.
During the 2024 season, Kneeland missed two games due to injury but was credited with 15 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and six quarterback hurries. As a rookie in 2023, he missed six games with a knee injury but still recorded 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery.
Before joining the NFL, Kneeland set records at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, for tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. During his college career at Western Michigan, he played in 38 games and amassed 27.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three pass deflections.
In 2023, Kneeland earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors, finishing the season with 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 7.5 tackles for loss in just nine games.
Kneeland is the second Dallas Cowboys player to pass away during the season in recent years. In 2012, linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car crash in which teammate Josh Brent was driving.
The Cowboys organization, players, and fans mourn the loss of Marshawn Kneeland and extend their deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
https://abc7.com/post/dallas-cowboys-second-year-de-marshawn-kneeland-dies-24/18120755/
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