NEED TO KNOW

• Dak Prescott is grieving the death of his Dallas Cowboys teammate Marshawn Kneeland
• The 24-year-old died Wednesday, Nov. 5, of an apparent “self-inflicted gunshot wound” after his girlfriend and family members expressed concerns about his mental health, according to police
• “To anyone struggling please hold on to that light,” another one of Kneeland’s teammates said

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is mourning the loss of his teammate Marshawn Kneeland.

On the evening of Thursday, Nov. 6, hours after news broke that the 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end had died, Prescott, 32, opened up in an interview with CBS Sports Texas.

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“It’s been a very tough day,” he told reporters, adding that he found out “early this morning.”

“Tragic loss, 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,” Prescott told the outlet. “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.”

He urged others not to take life for granted and to “Hug and love on those that you do.”

Prescott also called Thursday a “triggering day for many reasons.”

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Kneeland died on Wednesday night, but his death was not made public until the following morning.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

His death was the result of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound” after the athlete led Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on a chase just north of Dallas on Wednesday night, authorities said.

Dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE confirmed that Kneeland’s girlfriend dialed 911, afraid that the football star would intentionally harm himself.

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“We’re talking to the girlfriend. She’s trying to call his agent, but we’re trying to get her to call him first, but she’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness and her quote was, ‘He will end it all,'” a dispatcher said during the call.

Kneeland’s family also said they “received a text from him, a group text from him, saying goodbye. They’re concerned for his welfare,” according to the audio.

Cowboys defensive tackle Solomon Thomas also shared a statement after Kneeland’s death.

“Brother Marshawn, I love you. I wish you knew it was going to be okay. I wish you knew the pain wouldn’t last and how loved you are. I wish you knew how bad we wanted you to stay,” the 30-year-old wrote.

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Thomas expressed his condolences to Kneeland’s friends and family.

“To anyone struggling please hold on to that light. Please know there is always help and hope. Whatever storm you’re going through it’s okay to feel that pain. It’s okay not to be okay,” he continued. “But the light will come again.”

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After sharing resources, he added, “Truly a devastating day.”

Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb posted a tribute to his Instagram Stories, adding, “you just never know, Sleep well brada.” His next story was a video of University of Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule discussing the importance of mental health.

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Kneeland died just two nights after he recovered a blocked punt and returned it for a Cowboys touchdown during Monday Night Football.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

Read the original article on People