Dallas Cowboys lineman Marshawn Kneeland has tragically passed away at the age of 24. His death occurred early Thursday morning following a police chase in Texas. Authorities found his body shortly after 1:30 AM after he fled his crashed vehicle on foot.
His former coach, Lou Esposito, revealed he spoke with Kneeland just days before his sudden death. Esposito, the defensive line coach for the University of Michigan, coached Kneeland at Western Michigan University from 2019 to 2023.
“I’m gutted right now and my heart and the hearts of Marshawn’s family, teammates, and coaches are broken,” Esposito stated on Thursday, November 6. He added that Kneeland “meant so much to me.”
Esposito recounted a recent conversation with Kneeland. “I was able to congratulate Marshawn on his first career touchdown on Monday night.”
He expressed deep sorrow, saying, “My heart hurts as that will be the last conversation we have.” Esposito mentioned he had planned to meet Kneeland over the weekend during the NFL player’s visit home for the Cowboys’ bye week.
Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina, alerted police to concerns about his well-being. She informed authorities that Kneeland had a “history of mental illness.”
The Dallas Cowboys released a statement confirming the passing. “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team announced.
“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 Kneeland family also issued a statement via social media. “The Kneeland family can confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Marshawn Kneeland,” they wrote on Facebook.
The statement continued, “While Marshawn made 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.” They described him as “kind, determined, humble, and brimming with love.”
Kneeland’s mother, Wendy, died of an undisclosed illness in February 2024, just months before he was drafted by the Cowboys. Esposito extended his thoughts to Kneeland’s family and girlfriend, concluding, “May Marshawn rest in heaven alongside his beloved mother.”
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