The Dallas Cowboys organisation and American football community are grieving the tragic loss of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who has died at just 24 years old.
Owner's Heartfelt Tribute
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke emotionally about his grief during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, describing Kneeland as having a unique passion for both life and football. "He was very unique in his zest for life, and he was very unique for his passion for the game," Jones stated. "Of course, the saddest thing for someone like me is the fact that he's only 24 years old. You think about all of the time that we're going to miss him and he's going to be missed by the people around him. He was just getting started."
Tragic Circumstances and Mental Health Awareness
Authorities have confirmed that Kneeland took his own life last week. Jones expressed hope that this personal tragedy could help raise national awareness around mental health issues. "His death is such a national awareness thing that it takes on some of that light when we think about how we go forward," the Cowboys owner remarked, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health challenges.
Team Tributes and Moving Forward
The Cowboys, who haven't played since Kneeland's death due to their bye week, will return to action against the Las Vegas Raiders next Monday. The team plans to honour their late teammate with special tributes including commemorative t-shirts and helmet decals. "From the standpoint of the team and going back to work, there's no doubt in my mind they will do so in memory of what he's all about," Jones affirmed.
Kneeland's final game for the Cowboys saw him achieve a significant personal milestone - scoring his first career touchdown after recovering a blocked punt in the endzone. The second-year player had appeared in 11 games during his rookie season and was taking on an expanded role in 2025 before his tragic death.
Jones concluded with poignant reflections on the broader impact of this loss: "I think we all have unfettered feelings about the people we love, people we work with, and this is just a time when you acknowledge that there's no answers. It makes you want to live life to the fullest."
