Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland Dies At 24 Of Apparent Suicide Just Days After Scoring Touchdown On ‘MNF’

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has passed away from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Frisco Police Department. He was 24.

The Cowboys announced the news on Thursday morning.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the statement said. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

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Earlier this week, the defensive end played in the Cowboys’ 27-17 loss on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals, where he scored the team’s first touchdown on a blocked punt.

According to a statement by the Frisco Police Department on Thursday, a man, later identified as Kneeland, was found dead following a police pursuit earlier that night. At 10:39 p.m. local time, authorities responded to the Texas Department of Public Safety in locating a vehicle that entered the city of Frisco during a pursuit, the statement said.

Troopers later found the vehicle crashed on the southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway, and Kneeland fled on foot, according to the statement. At 1:31 a.m., Kneeland was found dead in what authorities described as “a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the statement said.

The police department wrote that the investigation is ongoing and no further details were released. The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of Kneeland’s death, according to the statement.

Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, released a statement on Thursday, saying he was “shattered” to hear the news.

“I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys,” Perzley said. “Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”

The NFL released a statement on Thursday morning.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland,” the league wrote. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates.”

The statement also said the league is in contact with the Cowboys organization and offered support and counseling resources.

The Cowboys have a bye this weekend and are scheduled to play their first game since Kneeland’s passing on Nov. 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders.