Dallas Cowboys Player Marshawn Kneeland, 24, Was Found Dead Hours After Police Conducted a Welfare Check at His Home — Inside the Heartbreaking Final Night
The heartbreaking death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has sent shockwaves through the NFL and beyond. Now, new details are emerging about the final hours before the 24-year-old athlete was found dead at his home, shedding light on the deep tragedy that unfolded the night before his passing.
According to police reports obtained by People, authorities were called to Kneeland’s residence in Plano, Texas, on the night of Wednesday, November 5, for what was described as a “welfare concern.” The call came in shortly before midnight, after someone close to the young NFL player reportedly became worried about his safety. Officers responded to the address but were unable to make contact with anyone inside.
By the following morning, Marshawn Kneeland was gone. His death was confirmed by both the Dallas Cowboys and his agent, Jonathan Perzley, early Thursday morning. He was just 24 years old.
The Cowboys issued a statement expressing their grief and heartbreak: “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 Cowboys family. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.”
The police department has since confirmed that the welfare call was placed out of concern for Kneeland’s well-being. Reports from local authorities and multiple outlets suggest that the call may have been made by a loved one who feared for his safety after receiving alarming messages. While an official cause of death has not been formally released, early reports suggest that Kneeland died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Plano Police Department has not disclosed further details, citing an active investigation and respect for the family’s privacy. However, the timeline now emerging paints a deeply tragic picture of a young man who, only days earlier, was celebrating a major milestone in his professional career.
Just 72 hours before his death, Kneeland had made national headlines when he recovered a blocked punt for his first-ever NFL touchdown during the Cowboys’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. It was a moment of joy for the rising athlete, captured in highlight reels and celebrated by teammates. His beaming smile on the sidelines that night now feels haunting in retrospect.
Teammates and coaches described Kneeland as focused, humble, and deeply passionate about the game. Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft from Western Michigan University, he was considered one of the Cowboys’ most promising young defensive players. “He worked harder than anyone,” said a Cowboys coach who asked not to be named. “He had so much potential, and everyone in this locker room loved him. This is a devastating loss.”
Friends and fellow athletes have since spoken out, remembering Kneeland not just as a player but as a person — kind, loyal, and grounded. Many of his Western Michigan teammates shared tributes online, calling him “a brother” and “the most genuine person you could ever meet.”
His agent, Jonathan Perzley, released a statement emphasizing Kneeland’s character off the field: “Marshawn Kneeland was more than an athlete. He was a bright light in every room, a source of positivity, and someone who cared deeply about the people around him. We are heartbroken.”
Kneeland’s story was one of perseverance and passion. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he grew up playing multiple sports before focusing on football in high school at Godwin Heights. After excelling in college, he became a standout defensive end, drawing attention from NFL scouts for his speed and determination. When the Cowboys selected him with the 56th overall pick in the 2024 draft, it was the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice — a dream come true.
But behind the success, those closest to him say Kneeland struggled with personal battles. Sources close to the family revealed that he had been coping with mental health challenges for several months. His girlfriend, identified by multiple outlets as Catalina, had reportedly expressed worry about his emotional state leading up to the welfare check. One outlet cited police dispatch audio indicating that she had called authorities fearing he might harm himself.
While these details remain under investigation, they have reignited discussions across the sports world about the ongoing mental health crisis facing athletes. Despite growing awareness and improved resources, many players still face immense pressure to project toughness and stability while privately grappling with anxiety, depression, or isolation.
Kneeland’s death marks another heartbreaking reminder that success on the field doesn’t shield athletes from struggles off of it. “The physical demands of football are obvious,” said Dr. Elena Richards, a sports psychologist not involved in the case. “But the psychological toll — the stress, the scrutiny, the constant expectation to perform — can weigh heavily on young players. It’s critical that teams and organizations build environments where vulnerability is seen as strength, not weakness.”
For the Cowboys, the tragedy has shaken the entire franchise. Players gathered privately on Thursday at team headquarters in Frisco to grieve and remember their teammate. Head coach Mike McCarthy spoke briefly to reporters, his voice heavy with emotion. “It’s hard to put into words. Marshawn was one of our own. We’re hurting right now. All of us. Our only focus is on supporting each other and his family.”
Team owner Jerry Jones also released a statement: “Marshawn Kneeland was everything you want in a Cowboy — resilient, passionate, and full of heart. He had an incredible future ahead of him. This loss is devastating.”
In the hours after the news broke, fans began leaving flowers, letters, and No. 94 jerseys outside the entrance to AT&T Stadium. One fan wrote on a note pinned to a bouquet: “Rest easy, Marshawn. You gave us your all.”
Tributes have poured in from across the league, including from players who faced Kneeland on the field. Many have used their platforms to call for greater mental health support within the NFL. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We compete, we fight, we grind — but at the end of the day, we’re all human. Rest in peace, Marshawn.”
Back in Michigan, Kneeland’s former high school coach, Tony Whitaker, told local reporters that his former player’s legacy will live on through the lives he touched. “He was a leader from day one,” Whitaker said. “Even when he was young, he carried himself with purpose. He made everyone around him better. This is a painful loss for our whole community.”
The Cowboys organization has pledged to provide full support to Kneeland’s family and girlfriend during this time. According to insiders, the team has offered to cover funeral arrangements and assist with travel logistics for his relatives in Michigan. The NFL has also confirmed that grief counselors have been made available to both the Cowboys and Western Michigan University communities.
As investigations continue into the events leading up to his death, the conversation has already expanded far beyond football. Fans, journalists, and former players have used the tragedy to reflect on how easily warning signs can be missed — and how important it is to check in on loved ones, even the ones who appear strong.
In his short time in the league, Marshawn Kneeland left an impression that transcended statistics. He was known for his humility, his infectious smile, and his deep respect for the game. In one of his final interviews, when asked about scoring his first NFL touchdown, he smiled shyly and said, “I just wanted to make my team proud.”
He did. And now, as the football world mourns, those words carry a heartbreaking poignancy. Marshawn Kneeland’s story — full of promise, potential, and humanity — will not be forgotten.
