marshawn kneeland Cowboys DE dies at 24

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died on November 5, 2025, in Frisco, Texas, at age 24, the team announced. Initial reporting from ESPN and subsequent confirmation described the death as an apparent suicide, prompting condolences across the NFL community and a review of Kneeland’s brief but disruptive early career with Dallas. The news was confirmed as the Cowboys, who had drafted Kneeland in 2024 and saw him as part of their promising young depth along the defensive line, faced the shock of losing a player who had just begun his NFL trajectory.

Kneeland was born July 8, 2001, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He played high school football at Godwin Heights in Wyoming, Michigan, before starring for Western Michigan from 2019 through 2023. His performance there earned him second-team All-MAC honors in 2023, marking him as a standout in a strong Western Michigan program. At 6 feet 3 inches and about 268 pounds, Kneeland projected as a versatile edge rusher with the potential to develop into a multifaceted NFL contributor.

The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the 2024 NFL draft, in the second round with the 56th overall pick. He wore number 94 and joined a Dallas defense that had been navigating depth challenges, including injuries to players such as Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Kneeland’s early NFL career produced 26 total tackles, 1.0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass deflection, and a touchdown, according to official career statistics. Those numbers reflect a player who contributed in limited snaps but showed enough to be considered part of the Cowboys’ long-term plans as they built a younger, more athletic defensive front.

In the wake of Kneeland’s passing, the NFL community reflected on the pressures facing young players amid a demanding league schedule and the broader importance of mental health and support networks. The Cowboys’ organization, along with league colleagues, expressed condolences, and tributes were anticipated as teams honored Kneeland’s memory in the days to come. Reports and updates about Kneeland’s health and status had circulated in the months prior, including indications of knee-related injuries that briefly impacted his playing time, underscoring the fragile line professional athletes often navigate between performance, injury, and well-being.

As investigators review the circumstances surrounding his death, Kneeland’s family and the football community are left to remember a talented defensive end who began his career with promise in Michigan, refined it at Western Michigan, and carried it into the NFL with the Cowboys. His passing adds to the ongoing conversation about player welfare and post-draft development, and it leaves Dallas and the league to consider how best to support young athletes facing the unique pressures of professional football while honoring Kneeland’s contributions on the field.