Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has tragically died at age 24, just days after scoring his first NFL touchdown on a blocked punt. The cause of death remains undisclosed and the football world mourns a rising star gone too soon.
Tragedy struck the Dallas Cowboys and the entire NFL community on November 6, 2025, when the team announced that defensive end Marshawn Kneeland — just 24 years old — had passed away.
Kneeland was in his second season with the Cowboys after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan Broncos.
🚀 Brief Career Highlights
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Drafted 56th overall in 2024.
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Appeared in 18 NFL games through two seasons, recording 26 tackles and one sack.
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His first NFL touchdown came just days before his death, when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in a Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals.
💔 The Announcement and Response
The Cowboys issued a statement:
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
His agent, Jonathan Perzley, described Kneeland as a player who “poured his heart into every snap, every practice and every moment on the field.”
The league also responded:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland… Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, his family, friends and his teammates.”
❓ Unanswered Questions
At this time, no cause of death has been released. Authorities and the team have asked for privacy for Kneeland’s family while details are being confirmed.