FRISCO — The NFL and the NFL Players Association both increased their mental health support resources for the Cowboys and other players across the league in the wake of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland’s death on Thursday.
Kneeland, 24, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police chase ended in Frisco. He was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Western Michigan. He played in 18 career NFL games. He scored his first NFL touchdown on Monday in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
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Each NFL team, through a joint initiative from the league and the NFLPA, has a requirement that each team has a licensed mental health clinician on staff and on site.
Cowboys
An NFL spokesman said that the league has supplemented already practiced mental health services with additional access to mental wellness professionals for players and personnel with the Cowboys, and for players and personnel who knew Kneeland from their time in college or from previously playing on the Cowboys.
A league spokesman also pointed to NFL Life Line, which was established in 2012 and “provides all members of the NFL family free, confidential, and independently operated resource that connects callers with trained counselors.”
An NFLPA spokesman told The Dallas Morning News its wellness team and the NFLPA player director assigned to the Cowboys also started reaching out to offer direct support to Cowboys players on Thursday.
“The NFL Players Association is deeply saddened by the passing of Marshawn Kneeland,” the NFLPA wrote in a statement. “His impact on those around him was immeasurable, and his loss is felt profoundly across our community. We’re working to ensure that players have the support they need, and our condolences are with Marshawn’s family and loved ones.
“To our player members, please remember that navigating grief can be difficult. Lean on one another and take care of your well-being. We encourage you to reach out to us for wellness support or use the NFL Life Line.”
Mental Health ResourcesThe Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line: Grant Halliburton Foundation initiative connects North Texans with mental health resources customized to each caller. 972-525-8181 or HereForTexas.com.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 24-hour crisis hotline at 800-273-8255. Confidential online chat is available at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.Crisis Text Line: To get 24-hour support, text “HOME” to 741741. More information at crisistextline.org.North Texas Behavioral Health Authority: 24-hour crisis hotline. 866-260-8000 or ntbha.org.Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas: Speak to a trained counselor on the 24-hour hotline at 214-828-1000, 800-273-8255 or sccenter.org.
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