Marshawn Kneeland

American football player (2001–2025)

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Marshawn Kneeland (July 8, 2001 – November 6, 2025) was an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played two seasons with the Cowboys until his death in November 2025. Kneeland played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos, earning second-team Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors in 2023, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

On November 6, 2025, Kneeland was found dead from a gunshot wound following a police pursuit hours prior. His death is being investigated as a suicide.

Early life

Marshawn Kneeland was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 8, 2001. He attended Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan. He played linebacker and tight end in high school. As a senior, he had 110 tackles and eight sacks on defense and 20 receptions for 330 yards and five touchdowns on offense. He committed to Western Michigan University to play college football.

College career

Kneeland played for the Broncos at Western Michigan University from 2019 to 2023. He was a second-team All-MAC selection in 2023. During his career, he had 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks. He recorded three pass deflections and three forced fumbles. Despite not being heavily recruited out of high school, Kneeland became a desirable prospect for the NFL and he received an invitation to NFL Scouting Combine.

Professional career

Kneeland was selected 56th overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

2024 season

He made his debut against the Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024. In his rookie season, he appeared in 11 games, recording 14 tackles. During his rookie season, Kneeland suffered a right knee injury that was almost considered season-ending. He was attempting to sack quarterback Justin Fields on the play before being injured. The injury required arthroscopic surgery.

2025 season

During training camp before his sophomore season, Kneeland was named as a possible breakout star on the Cowboys, intercepting quarterback Dak Prescott in a clip shared on Twitter. In October, Kneeland was listed on the injury report with a possibly practice-related ankle injury. In Week 9, two days before his death, Kneeland scored his only NFL touchdown after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals.

NFL career statistics

Personal life and death

Kneeland's mother died unexpectedly of an undisclosed illness in February 2024, two months before he was drafted by the Cowboys. Kneeland carried his mother's ashes with him in a necklace at all times. Tennessee Titans defensive back Mike Brown is a cousin of Kneeland.

Kneeland lived in Plano, Texas. He died in Frisco, Texas, on November 6, 2025, at the age of 24, during his second season in the NFL. On the same date, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported that Kneeland had been involved in a 160 mph police pursuit the previous night after he did not stop for a traffic violation. The chase was terminated after officers lost sight of his vehicle. His girlfriend Catalina Mancera then told police that he was armed, had a history of mental illness, and would "end it all". According to police, they responded to a "welfare concern" at Kneeland's apartment complex, but nobody was home. His vehicle was later discovered abandoned following a crash. According to the police, he was found dead nearby "from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound." Local police are investigating his death as a potential suicide.

Following his death, the Cowboys released a statement describing him as a "beloved teammate" and sending thoughts and prayers to his family. It was also revealed that Catalina Mancera was pregnant with the couple's first child.