Several of Marshawn Kneeland’s Dallas Cowboys teammates are mourning his sudden death at 24.
“Love you dawg,” cornerback Josh Butler wrote via his Instagram Stories on Friday, November 8, sharing a photo of Kneeland’s locker in a post set to JMSN’s “Love Me.”
In the pic, four different floral bouquets had been left in the locker room on the rookie defensive end’s leather seat.
News broke on Thursday, November 6, that Kneeland had died by suicide.
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“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the NFL team wrote in a statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.”
Kneeland, who scored his first career touchdown less than a week before his death, was also mourned by his agent Jonathan Perzley.
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Pertly said in his own Thursday 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.”
He continued, “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.”
Kneeland is survived by his father, his three siblings and his girlfriend. He is predeceased by his mother, who died of an undisclosed illness in February 2024.
“The Kneeland family can confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Marshawn Kneeland,” a Facebook statement read. “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.”
His relatives added, “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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Butler, 28, has been among the Cowboys athletes sharing their condolences and tributes to Kneeland.
“It’s been a very tough day. [I found out] early this morning,” quarterback Dak Prescott told CBS Sports on Thursday. “I hurt. Heavy, heavy heart today. I hurt for Marshawn, I hurt for his family. I hurt for his girlfriend, I hurt for every single one of my teammates. This is a pain you don’t wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn’t have to go through what he went through.”
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