The NFL and the Denver Broncos observed a moment of silence before kickoff against the Las Vegas Raiders to honor Marshawn Kneeland, the 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end who was found dead early Thursday morning in Frisco, Texas.

Kneeland died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after crashing his vehicle following a police chase, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. He was in his second season with the Cowboys after being selected in the second round of the 2024 draft.

A moment of silence for Marshawn Kneeland. pic.twitter.com/2lgv8Sk2mw

— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2025

While discussing the tragedy during the “Thursday Night Football” pregame show on Prime Video, Richard Sherman spoke directly to the camera and urged players to check in on their teammates.

“It’s so heavy, and when you’re a former player, you recognize it so much more,” said Sherman, who played 11 seasons in the NFL. “How much you can reach out to guys, how much you have to reach out and check on guys mentally, because we all have those demons, you have those things you’re dealing with and you don’t ever want to be dealing with them alone. …

“When you’re playing, you almost feel invincible,” Sherman continued. “You feel like, ‘Hey, I cannot be vulnerable in that way because that will be a weakness.’ But you can be vulnerable, you can give yourselves an opportunity to get the help that you need, and still be a great football player. I challenge you guys to go out there and make sure you get the help you need.”

Andrew Whitworth, a former offensive tackle and veteran of 16 NFL seasons, said he felt “gutted” and described Kneeland’s death as “heart-wrenching.”

“Sometimes we think of ourselves as superheroes out on the field, but when we come off of it, we hurt, we stress, just like everybody else,” Whitworth said. “I just hope that for everybody out there experiencing that pain, they remember to reach out to one another, and we remember in the locker room how much we need each other. Just like in the huddle in the critical moments of the game, you pull tighter, and that huddle gets tighter. I pray for those guys; they huddle up and remember how much they need each other on the field and off of it because we’re brothers. We’re all in this together in the NFL family.”

Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman reflect on the passing of Marshawn Kneeland. pic.twitter.com/6KAK8vTps8

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) November 7, 2025

Kneeland was found dead at 1:31 a.m. on Thursday morning. Hours earlier, officers attempted to stop the vehicle Kneeland was driving, but he refused, leading DPS troopers to pursue Kneeland until 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.

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.

The NFL community and former teammates of Kneeland’s spoke about the tragedy throughout the day on Thursday.

Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence, who played with Kneeland last season, told reporters, “It’s tough to lose a brother in a situation like this. … So, I want to send my condolences, my love and my prayers.” Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, another former teammate, called Kneeland’s death “shocking.”

Kneeland was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., and attended Western Michigan University, where he earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2023.

He played in seven games for the Cowboys this season, starting three. He had 12 tackles and one sack. On Monday, 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.

The Cowboys are on a bye in Week 10.