\n
<\/p>\n
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died Thursday morning at age 24, the team said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Police are investigating the incident as apparent death by suicide.<\/p>\n
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) says that at 10:33 p.m. local time Wednesday, troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation, but the driver refused to halt and a pursuit began.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
The pursuit was quickly terminated after troopers lost sight of the vehicle, Texas DPS said.<\/p>\n
The Frisco Police Department said Thursday that its officers responded to a call at 10:39 p.m. to assist the Texas DPS in locating the vehicle.<\/p>\n
A wrecked vehicle was located \u201cminutes later,\u201d crashed on Dallas Parkway in Frisco, Texas, police say. Initial reports indicate that a male subject, later identified as Kneeland, fled the scene on foot.<\/p>\n
Officers then began searching the area with K-9 and drone units, according to Frisco police.<\/p>\n
In dispatch audio obtained by CNN from Broadcastify of the local police response, law enforcement can be heard talking about police having been in touch with Kneeland\u2019s girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re talking to the girlfriend. She\u2019s trying to call his agent but we\u2019re trying to get her to call him first. But she\u2019s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness and her quote was \u2018he will end it all.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Police in Plano, Texas, where Kneeland resided, say they received a call approximately an hour later to perform a welfare check at \u201can address associated with Mr. Kneeland,\u201d but made no contact at the residence.<\/p>\n
Also heard in the dispatch audio was a mention that the NFL had been in touch with authorities while the search for the football player continued. \u201cWe have a lieutenant calling in from Plano advising that the NFL is calling Plano PD and the subject is texting his family goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n
CNN has reached out to the league for comment about the alleged interaction with police.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
Frisco police say officers were informed that Kneeland \u201chad expressed suicidal ideations\u201d and \u201cwas later located at 1:31 a.m., deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Collin County Medical Examiner\u2019s Office will determine the official cause of death, per Frisco PD.<\/p>\n
The Cowboys released a statement Thursday morning which read: \u201cIt 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,\u201d the Cowboys said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Kneeland appeared in seven games for Dallas this season, making 12 tackles and recording one sack. Kneeland scored his first career touchdown in the Cowboys\u2019 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
The second-round draft pick from 2024 was playing in his second season with the Cowboys after playing for Western Michigan University.<\/p>\n
The school\u2019s head coach, Lance Taylor, called Kneeland a \u201cremarkable young man who meant so much to our program and to me personally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor continued: \u201cHis leadership, energy, and smile were infectious, and he left a lasting impact on everyone in our program. Having coached him during my first season here, we developed a special bond that went far beyond football. His passion for life and his teammates were unmatched.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n