Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones received a jarring phone call early Thursday, November 6. He learned that defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had died.
Kneeland’s body was found shortly after 1:30 AM on Thursday, according to an ESPN report. The 24-year-old had apparently died by suicide.
Jones, 61, described his reaction on Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan on Monday, November 10. “When you get news like that, you obviously feel like your heart’s ripped out and your soul’s ripped out,” he stated.
He had hoped the news was not true. “I got the news in the middle of the night, so I woke up after getting some sleep and I was hoping it was a dream, but unfortunately it wasn’t,” Jones explained.
“The call we got on Marshawn is the worst of them all,” he added. “When there’s a loss of life, it’s just heartbreaking, tragic and the worst thing you can imagine.”
Jones remembered Kneeland for his “great passion and love for the game.” The Cowboys drafted him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“He played with great energy,” Jones said. “You could certainly sense the effort, the way he played, his passion for the game.” The team will miss him dearly.
The Cowboys will return to play Monday, November 17, against the Raiders in Las Vegas. This follows their bye week.
The team is actively working with Kneeland’s family. They aim to find the best way to honor his life.
“This certainly puts things in perspective,” Jones emphasized. “You’re playing a game that means a lot to a lot of people, but there’s a lot more important things going on.”
He concluded, “We just want to continue to honor Marshawn’s memory and do everything we can the best way we can.”
The Kneeland family issued a statement Thursday regarding the tragic death. “We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief,” it read.
They described Marshawn as “a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.” He made a mark on the field but held a more special place off it.
“He was kind, purposeful, humble, and brimming with love,” the family stated. “His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will live on.”
The family expressed gratitude for support and requested privacy. They are gathering to honor Marshawn’s life and legacy.