year DE Marshawn Kneeland dies at 24

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died Thursday morning, the team announced.

"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 regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family," the team said in a statement.

He was 24.

The team did not disclose any details about how Kneeland died.

Kneeland's agent, Jonathan Perzley, described Kneeland's death as "a pain I can hardly put into words."

"I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night," Perzley said in a statement. "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."

The NFL issued a statement saying it was "deeply saddened" by Kneeland's death, adding the league has "offered support and counseling resources" to the Cowboys.

Kneeland was the Cowboys' second-round pick out of Western Michigan in 2024, No. 56 overall. In Monday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, he scored the Cowboys' first touchdown, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.

The Cowboys are on their bye week and are not scheduled to return to practice until Monday.

He missed two games this season due to injury and was credited with 15 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries. As a rookie, he missed six games with a knee injury and had 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.

Kneeland set records for tackles, sacks and tackles for loss at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, before attending Western Michigan. In 38 collegiate games. He had 27.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass deflections. He was a second-team All-Mid-American Conference pick in 2023, finishing with 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in nine games.

He is the second Cowboys player to die during the season in recent years. In 2012, linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car crash in which teammate Josh Brent was driving.

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