Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, 24, tragically passed away Wednesday night in Frisco.

According to the Frisco police department, the incident is being investigated as a possible suicide and it occurred following a car chase involving multiple agencies.

It ended with a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

“A man was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following an outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco,” read a statement from Frisco PD. On November 5, 2025, at approximately 10:39 p.m., the Frisco Police Department responded to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered the city of Frisco.

Troopers After located the vehicle minutes later, crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway.

The subject, identified as Kneeland, fled the scene on foot. Officers established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area with the assistance of the FPD K-9 and Drone units.

Kneeland was later located at 1:31a.m. inside a portable toilet, deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The team and his agent confirmed the tragic news Thursday morning.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” read a statement from the Cowboys. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

His agent Jonathan Perzley released as statement that read:

“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. 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 pain 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.”

Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan. In 18 games played (four starts), the defensive lineman had 26 tackles, four QB hits, one sack.

The Cowboys (3-5-1) are on their bye week and will not return to the team facility until Monday.

In last Monday’s 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Kneeland scored the Cowboys first touchdown when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.

Kneeland has 15 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries in seven games this season. He missed two games with an injury. As a rookie, he had 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. He missed six games in 2024 with a knee injury.

The NFL said in 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 counseling resources.”

Per sources, officers received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations. He had also told his girlfriend that he planned to end it all.

Kneeland is the second Cowboys player to pass away during the season, joining Jerry Brown, who died in a car wreck with teammate Josh Brent in 2012.

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