Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland passed away Thursday morning. He was 24. “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. The team did not disclose details about his cause of death. pic.twitter.com/CbP3WAm2IB — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 6, 2025 ESPN shared: 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. Watch footage of the touchdown below: NEW: Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has passed away at the age of 24. His passing came just days after he scored a touchdown off a blocked punt against the Arizona Cardinals. “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland… pic.twitter.com/K7TA74aMtw — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 6, 2025 CBS Sports has more: Kneeland enjoyed successful prep and college careers that included being a standout linebacker/tight end at Michigan’s Godwin Heights High School a second-team All-Mid-American Conference selection during his final season at Western Michigan. He filled the stat sheet that season with 57 tackles (7.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. “He was a great person, eager to learn … wanted to be great,” one of his former coaches, Mike Zimmer, told NFL Media shortly after the news of Kneeland’s passing broke. “He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard-loved playing the game. “My last conversation with him was keep being you you’re going to have a great career.”