Tragic 911 recording captures Marshawn Kneeland’s final moments before his shock suicide at 24 as tributes pour in for the Dallas Cowboys star: Live updates

Officers inform each other of the final messages Kneeland sent to his family members before ending his own life.

Police confirmed that Kneeland died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head following a police chase.

WARNING: The audio below is disturbing.

KJ Henry, who spent last season on the Cowboys, remembers that Kneeland’s ‘energy and joy were contagious’.

Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby offers prayers to Kneeland.

A cousin of Kneeland’s begins a tribute with, ‘i’m frustrated with how fragile life is. one second you’re here, the next, you’re gone. but to where?’

Kneeland blocked a punt late in the first half and came away with a score to put the Cowboys right back in the game

The players union remembers Kneeland’s ‘impact on those around him’ and is offering support to their members

The family says they are ‘devastated by this tremendous loss’ and remember him as ‘a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.’

‘His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired,’ the statement adds.

Smith, the Cowboys’ all-time rushing yards leader, posts his condolences to Kneeland’s family and loved ones.

The 24-year-old was a two-star prospect out of Godwin Heights High School in the Michigan city of Wyoming.

After playing linebacker and tight end in high school – including in his senior season when he had 20 catches for 330 yards and five touchdowns on offense, plus 110 tackles and eight sacks on defense – he committed to Western Michigan.

Across five seasons with the Broncos, Kneeland made two bowl games under head coaches Tim Lester and Lance Taylor. At the close of his college career, he amassed 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks. In his final year, he put up 57 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, two forced fumbles and 4.5 sacks.

Kneeland was then selected 56th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

In his rookie year, he totaled 14 tackles and nine solo tackles – while also recovering a fumble against the Carolina Panthers.

This season, he recorded his first NFL sack in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He added 12 tackles and six solo tackles.

In the final game of his career, on Monday night, he blocked a punt to score his first ever NFL touchdown.

Police say Kneeland was involved in a car chase with police that entered the city before he got out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

While police were searching for him, they began receiving information that he was expressing suicidal ideations.

He was found after 1:30am with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Kneeland grew into a star while playing for Western Michigan.

On Thursday, head coach Lance Taylor said, ‘My heart is absolutely broken’ after hearing about Kneeland’s passing and recalled ‘His leadership, energy and smile were infectious’.

Athletic director Dan Bartholomae recalled Kneeland as ‘a beloved member of our campus community’.

His great-uncle tells SportsDay DFW that Kneeland was a ‘gentle giant’ and an ‘outstanding young man’.

Per the statement, Kneeland was involved in a car chase with DPS troopers, but managed to evade them. His car was later found abandoned in the Dallas suburb of Frisco.

After searching the immediate area, Kneeland was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Bryant, who starred for the Cowboys for seven years, joined in the commemoration of the 24-year-old

It was just over a year ago when Kneeland was surrounded by his family and heard his name get called to join the best football players in the world.

Just months prior from this happy moment, Kneeland’s world was rocked when his mother passed away.

Kneeland then made a necklace with a small urn pendant containing his mother’s ashes which he wore since her death.

A relatively unheralded recruit out of high school, he blossomed into a star at Western Michigan and was set to be a key part of the Cowboys defense for years to come.

The Washington Commanders offered a tribute up to Kneeland on social media.

Per local reports, officers were dispatched to Kneeland’s home before midnight for a welfare check and did not make contact with anyone inside.

The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver reacted to the news on social media.

Teammate Kenneth Murray posted this on his Instagram story:

A similar message was posted by linebacker Damone Clark:

He praised Kneeland’s work ethic and believed he was ‘going to have a great career’.

That word means ‘brother’ in Samoan slang.

Pass catcher Ryan Flournoy:

Veteran Cowboys wideout KaVontae Turpin:

Ferguson was among the first to post the news to social media. Several Cowboys teammates followed.

According to local reports, police were dispatched to Kneeland’s home just before midnight CT to conduct a welfare check. They were not able to make contact with anyone inside.

No further details about the incident have been released by the team or by local police.

Players from the Cowboys have begun posting tributes to their teammate after the shock announcement of Kneeland’s passing.

The second-year defensive end’s death was revealed by the team in the early hours of Thursday.