Nearly two weeks ago, Marshawn Kneeland was celebrating in the end zone with teammates after recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown.
Days later, came the news that devastated many.
Kneeland had tragically passed away over the teams bye week.
Now returning to work in preparation for Week 11, the Dallas Cowboys have spent the week grieving, remembering, and honoring Kneeland, a young teammate whose energy and spirit left a mark far deeper than his short time in the league.
Several players spoke openly on Thursday and Friday for the first time since Kneeland’s death, as well as head coach Brian Schottenheimer, about what he meant to them, the relentless motor he brought to every snap, the jokes that carried through the locker room, the kindness he showed to everyone in the building, and the joy he brought to people far beyond football.
In the wake of his death, they shared stories not just of a promising defensive end, but of a person whose love for the game, his teammates, and life itself continues to guide them as they move forward together.
Here is what they had to say on their beloved teammate, friend, and brother.
HC Brian Schottenheimer
“We understand our best way to honor Marshawn on the field is by how we play. That’s something we get to control. And I think the guys are excited about that. … We don’t move on, but we do move forward.”
QB Dak Prescott
“Nobody chased the ball like Marshawn. You turn on practice film, game film, whatever it may be, I know going back to the spring Schotty would show clips of guys running to the ball at OTAs and Marshawn always made that list. I think it’s evident right there. I think that showed his love for the game, showed his love for his teammates and that this meant. At any position I think that’s an easy way to do it right there, is just your effort and chasing the ball down just as Marshawn would.”
DT Solomon Thomas
“It’s been sweet to see a lot of people share their stories of Marshawn. He impacted everyone on this team and it’s been really cool to hear his impact and their happy memories. And that’s what’s important in this time: to share those happy moments of Marshawn, because this moment does not define Marshawn. Marshawn was someone who brought so much love and joy to so many people, brought happiness to so many people. Guys in the d-line room were just laughing about all the jokes he used to tell. Personally for me, as a vet, he was always coming up to me. I don’t know if he was searching for validation or he was just trying to be, you know, a silly younger player, but he’d always be like, ‘Hey, Solly, when we win the Super Bowl, can we get matching tattoos?’ or, ‘If our kids are born at the same time, can they grow up as best friends?’ Just stuff like that. He meant so much to so many and you see it all over this team. I’m on Instagram and I’m seeing this writing club in Dallas. This dude wrote a whole paragraph about Marshawn and how special he made him feel. A professional athlete in a normal writing group of people, making people they’re just as important as him. He gave that impact to people. And just hearing the people speak at his vigil was so impactful. He meant so much to so many we just keep living for him and living for his spirit.”
DT Osa Odighizuwa
“A lot. We had good laughs. We’d always joke, a lot of locker room jokes and stuff like that. There were a lot of moments in the training room and just knowing that was someone that I respected a lot because I pretty much live here. I’m in the building a lot, and that’s someone that I see in here often in the hours after we all are done with our mandatory work.”
WR Ryan Flournoy
“Man, just playing from love and not for love. Marshawn loved a game. You can see it about his play style, how his motor was going, every play, just going fast, and that’s what we’re gonna bring this Monday night, and throughout the whole season, just playing for him, just playing for 94 for, cause he would love to be on that field playing with us.”
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
“Great individual and is very sad incident that you know affected us. Impacted us as a as a team. But, you know, like you said as well, you know, we want to play for Marshawn, you know, we want to, you know, carry that along with us and honor him whatever way possible.”
LB DeMarvion Overshown
About Marshawn Kneeland, number 94, a brother, a teammate, and a very human man. Over the past couple days, the past week, not just for myself but I’m sure for my teammates too, we’ve all been in and out of sadness. You know, when you lose anyone in your family it hurts, but when you lose a brother so close to you like Marshawn, someone whose light could brighten up any room, it’s different. Even now, knowing the darkness he was going through, he was still able to come in here and be a light for so many other people.
In the days since his passing, the Cowboys have made it clear that Kneeland’s legacy won’t be measured in games played or stats recorded, but in the love he showed and the energy he brought to everyone around him.
His teammates will carry his spirit with them, in how they practice, how they play, and how they treat one another, because that’s how Kneeland lived.
As the team moves forward, they do so united by his memory, determined to honor him not just with words, but with the effort, joy, and heart he gave every single day.
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, immediately call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, 24/7 confidential support.
