Marshawn Kneeland, a second-year defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys whose relentless play turned heads across the NFL, died on November 6, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. He was 24.

Kneeland was born July 8, 2001, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He starred at Godwin Heights High School in nearby Wyoming, Michigan before a standout career at Western Michigan University. The Cowboys selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 56th overall.

As a rookie in 2024, he appeared in 11 games while acclimating to the pro game. In his second season, he took on a larger role and, just three days before his death, scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals. Through 18 career games, he recorded 26 tackles and one sack.

The Cowboys called Kneeland a “beloved teammate,” extending condolences to his girlfriend, Catalina, and to his family. Others shared tributes that emphasized his work ethic, kindness, and emerging impact on the field.

Kneeland’s path to the NFL resonated beyond football. He entered the league months after the death of his mother, Wendy, whose memory he honored publicly as he began his pro career by wearing a necklace with a small urn containing her ashes. Loved ones and former coaches remembered him as resilient, grounded, and optimistic.

Off the field, his story-persevering through personal loss while stepping onto one of football’s biggest stages-left an imprint on teammates and fans. Tributes from the Cowboys and national outlets emphasized his character and the bright future many saw ahead of him.