The professional football community is in mourning after Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died by an apparent suicide early Thursday morning. The tragic incident followed a police pursuit in Frisco, Texas, where officers discovered the 23-year-old athlete with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Heartbreaking Police Audio Reveals Final Hours
Disturbing police dispatch audio obtained by TMZ reveals the concerned girlfriend of Marshawn Kneeland warned authorities that the NFL player was armed and had a history of mental illness. In the emotional exchange, she expressed fear that he would "end it all" after he had sent a concerning group text message saying goodbye to family members.
The dispatcher can be heard alerting officers: "You all do me a favour: Everybody stay with a buddy, don't go looking alone, this guy is armed." The audio also reveals that Kneeland's family was "concerned for his welfare" and didn't have access to his apartment.
Police Pursuit and Tragic Discovery
According to the Frisco Police Department, units responded at 10:39 p.m. on Wednesday to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers. The vehicle was later found crashed on the Dallas Parkway.
The statement confirmed that the male subject, identified as Kneeland, fled the scene on foot. Officers established a perimeter and searched the area using K-9 units and drones. During the search, police received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations.
At approximately 1:31 a.m. on Thursday, officers discovered Kneeland deceased in a porta-potty near a building. Dispatch audio described "quite a bit of blood coming out" of the structure, with thermal imaging showing a heat signature "curled up at the bottom."
Football Community Mourns Promising Talent
The Dallas Cowboys selected Marshawn Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, 56th overall, out of Western Michigan. In his brief professional career, the defensive end played in 18 games for Dallas, starting four, and recorded 26 tackles, four QB hits and one sack.
Tragically, Kneeland had just experienced his biggest NFL moment during Monday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals, where he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for his first career touchdown. The Cowboys organization expressed extreme sadness in their official statement, calling Kneeland "a beloved teammate and member of our organization."
The NFL also issued a statement: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys' Marshawn Kneeland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counselling resources."
Kneeland's agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed his client's death in an emotional statement, describing how he watched Kneeland "fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys."
The official cause of death will be determined by the county medical examiner, and investigations remain ongoing. The Cowboys are currently on their bye week and will return to practice on Monday ahead of their November 17 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
