A former coach of late Dallas Cowboys lineman Marshawn Kneeland revealed he spoke to the NFL star just days before his sudden death.
“I am crushed at this moment and my heart and the hearts of Marshawn’s family, teammates and coaches are shattered,” University of Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito said in a statement on Thursday, November 6. “Marshawn Kneeland meant a great deal to me and I have so many fond memories of growing with him throughout my time as his coach.”
Esposito was Kneeland’s defensive coordinator at Western Michigan University, where he played from 2019 to 2023 before being selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“We were planning to get together this weekend during his visit back home,” Esposito explained. “Today’s news is absolutely devastating.”
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The Cowboys are in the midst of a bye week, which was the catalyst for Kneeland’s planned trip back to Michigan. Esposito said he and Kneeland “just talked the other day.”
“I got to congratulate Marshawn on his first career touchdown on Monday night,” Esposito recalled. “My heart aches as that will be the last conversation that we have together. It’s hard to put into words how much Marshawn means to me and my family. He was family to us and we have so many fond memories of our time together.”
Esposito added, “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his girlfriend, Catalina. May Marshawn rest in heaven with his beloved mother.”
Kneeland’s mother, Wendy, died of an undisclosed illness in February 2024, just months before he was drafted by the Cowboys.
The NFL star died by suicide in the early morning hours on Thursday, following a police chase in Texas. Kneeland’s body was discovered shortly after 1:30 a.m. after he fled his crashed vehicle on foot. He was 24.
Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina, had called the police out of concern for his well-being shortly before he was found dead. She told authorities that Kneeland had “a history of mental illness.”
The Cowboys announced Kneeland’s death in a statement on Thursday morning.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
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The Kneeland family — including the late NFL star’s father, Shawn, his brothers, AJ and Shawn Jr., and his sister Yahmya — issued a statement about his death via social media on Thursday.
“The Kneeland family can confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Marshawn Kneeland,” the family said in a statement via Facebook. “We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief. As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field — as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.”
The statement continued, “He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.”
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