Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died by apparent suicide at the age of 24 late on Wednesday night.
Kneeland was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing Texas State troopers at around 10:30pm local time on Wednesday.
Kneeland was in the midst of just his second season in the NFL when he died overnight. His family and ‘shattered’ agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed the ‘tremendous loss.’
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to stop Kneeland for a traffic violation on the Dallas North Tollway, according to a statement shared by the DPS. However, he reportedly refused to pull over, sparking a subsequent car chase that resulted in the pursuing authorities losing sight of Kneeland’s vehicle.
Kneeland’s vehicle was later discovered abandoned after it had crashed on Dallas Parkway. The DPS, alongside the Frisco Police Department, searched the immediate area, where the football player was found deceased.
The defensive lineman’s distraught girlfriend had also sounded the alarm to the police after she received a concerning text message from the NFL star, saying that he would ‘end it all.’
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has passed away suddenly at 24
The 24-year-old football player is pictured with his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera
His ‘shattered’ agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed the loss as the NFL paid tribute
In devastating 911 audio obtained by TMZ, dispatchers could be heard relaying information from Kneeland’s girlfriend, who reportedly said that he had a history of mental illness and that he was armed.
The dispatch also stated that the NFL had contacted the Plano Police Department saying that the family of one of its players was concerned for his welfare. ‘The subject is texting his family goodbye,’ the operator said.
The Frisco Police Department is continuing to investigate Kneeland’s death.
Kneeland’s girlfriend is so distraught she cannot even bring herself to speak with close family, one of her relatives exclusively told the Daily Mail.
The tragic NFL player’s lover, reported to have been constantly by his side as his career progressed, is 22-year-old Catalina Mancera, we can reveal.
One of her cousins, Lexis Mancera Guerra said from her home in Michigan: ‘She won’t answer to anybody. She won’t talk. I don’t know what’s happening until I fly down there. I’m going down to support her.’
Asked why Catalina won’t respond to family, Lexis said: ‘I think it’s just a lot. I don’t know what happened.’
Kneeland’s family released an emotional statement following the news of his passing, remembering him as a ‘devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.’
His girlfriend sounded the alarm to the police after she received a concerning text message
Kneeland’s mother, Wendy (left), unexpectedly passed away in February 2024 aged just 45
Kneeland wore a small urn containing his mother’s ashes on a necklace after he was drafted
‘We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief,’ they said. ‘As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field – as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.
‘He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.
‘We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.’
Kneeland’s heartbreaking death came just two days after he suited up for the Cowboys in their Monday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
The defensive lineman, who was drafted by Dallas in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, achieved a major milestone during the clash, scoring his first professional touchdown when he scooped up a blocked punt in the end zone during the second quarter.
The Dallas Cowboys honored Kneeland as a ‘beloved teammate and member of our organization’ in a statement shared on Thursday morning that read.
The NFL also paid tribute to the young football star, saying: ‘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 counseling resources.’
Kneeland was drafted by the Cowboys out of Western Michigan last year. In nearly two seasons in the NFL, he played in 18 games for Dallas, four of which came as starts. He recorded 26 tackles and one sack.
Kneeland scored his first NFL touchdown on Monday, just two days before his death
The defensive lineman was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 draft
‘I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream of being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys,’ his agent 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 pan I can hardly put into words.’
‘My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.’
As Kneeland was preparing for the NFL scouting combine last year he and his family were rocked by another tragedy.
The Grand Rapids native suffered a devastating loss in February 2024 when his mother, Wendy, unexpectedly died just two months before the NFL Draft.
‘It was tough, it still is, but I know at the end of the day the thing that gets me through it is she spent all her life trying to get me to go here and supported me as much as she could to get me to the NFL,’ Kneeland previously told WZZM 13.
Kneeland wore his mother’s ashes in a small two-inch urn on a necklace after he was selected by the Cowboys.
The Cowboys are on their bye week and are not scheduled to return to training until Monday before their next game against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 17.
Kneeland is pictured celebrating a victory for the Western Michigan Broncos in 2023
Kneeland warms up at Mile High Stadium before a game against the Denver Broncos
Kneeland set records for tackles, sacks and tackles for loss at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, before attending Western Michigan.
In 38 games throughout his collegiate career, Kneeland registered 27.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass deflections.
He also earned a second-team All-Mid-American Conference nod in 2023 after he finished the year with 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in nine games.
After the devastating news of his death broke, tribute flooded in from around the NFL world with Kneeland’s Cowboys teammates leading the way.
Dallas’s star tight end Jake Ferguson was among the first to honor his teammate, sharing a tribute to his Instagram story with the caption ‘Love you brother’ alongside three black hearts.
Linebacker Kenneth Murray also reposted a remembrance graphic to his story with the caption ‘Fly high brother’ aside a broken heart emoji.
Wide receiver KaVonte Turpin posted, ‘Love you kid’, while fellow pass catcher Ryan Flournoy wrote, ‘Rest up brother Love you’.
Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer praised his former player as he reacted to the heartbreaking news
After the devastating news of his death broke, tribute flooded in from Kneeland’s teammates
‘He was a great person, eager to learn .. wanted to be great. He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard-loved playing the game. Tough,’ he told Jane Slater. ‘My last conversation with him was keep being you you’re going to have a great career.’
The NFL Players Association released a statement saying that it ‘is deeply saddened by the passing of Marshawn Kneeland.’
‘His impact on those around him was immeasurable, and his loss is felt profoundly across our community,’ it continued. ‘We’re working to ensure that players have the support they need, and our condolences are with Marshawn’s family and loved ones.
‘To our player members, please remember that navigating grief can be difficult. Lean on one another and take care of your well-being. We encourage you to reach out to us for wellness support or use the NFL Life Line.’
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or at http://988lifeline.org.