Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead early Thursday morning in Frisco, Texas, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after crashing his vehicle following a police chase, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. He was 24.
The chase began at 10:33 p.m. local time on Wednesday, when officers attempted to stop the vehicle Kneeland was driving. He refused to stop, leading DPS troopers to pursue Kneeland until they said they lost sight of his car. The vehicle was later found abandoned after being involved in a crash in the southbound lanes of the Dallas Parkway.
Initial reports indicated that Kneeland fled the scene on foot, according to the Frisco Police Department. The police in nearby Plano confirmed to The Athletic that a welfare concern check was conducted at an address associated with Kneeland on Wednesday at 11:40 p.m. local time. Officers did not find anybody at the residence.
According to a police audio dispatch recording from around 11:30 p.m., an officer said police were talking to Kneeland’s girlfriend, who was not identified in the clip.
“She’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness. And her quote was, ‘he will end it all,’” the officer said on the recording.
The officer said Kneeland’s girlfriend was trying to call his agent, and police were trying to get her to contact Kneeland.
Kneeland was found dead at 1:31 a.m., though police did not specify where.
“Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization,” the Cowboys said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. pic.twitter.com/4kowniiC0c
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2025
“We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief,” his family said in a statement to The Dallas Morning News. “As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field — as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend. He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.”
Kneeland was in his second season with the team after being selected in the second round of the 2024 Draft. He played in seven games this season, starting three. He had 12 tackles and one sack.
On Monday, in the Cowboys’ last game before the bye week, Kneeland scored his first career touchdown after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone in a 27-17 loss at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., Kneeland spent the majority of his life in western Michigan. He played linebacker and tight end at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Mich., before competing at Western Michigan University, where he earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2023.
Two months before Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys, his mother, Wendy, passed away unexpectedly.
“Growing up, she was always there for me, always going to all my games, on cold nights,” he said in his opening comments at her memorial service on March 5, 2024. “(She was) just always there for me. It’s definitely tough. You just never expect something like this.”
Kneeland is the first active NFL player to die during a season since 2018, when Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson was killed after being struck by a car. In 2012, Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car accident shortly after being signed to the team’s practice squad.
In November 2020, Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died after suffering a medical emergency at the team’s headquarters.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or at 988lifeline.org.