The Dallas Cowboys woke up to terrible news regarding defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. The second-year player was found dead, the team announced Thursday morning.

“Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization,” a statement released Thursday by the Dallas Cowboys said. “Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.”

Soothing words poured after the NFL world learned about Kneeland’s passing. Dak Prescott’s fiancée, Sarah Jane, sent a short message on her Instagram story to the fans.

“Devastating. Please lift this family and community up with love and prayers. Rest in Peace, Marshawn,” Jane wrote.

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Marshawn Kneeland grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he attended Godwin Heights High School. He played college at Western Michigan University, where he recorded 149 tackles and 13 sacks.

As a pro, Kneeland played 18 games with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted with the No. 56 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He recorded 26 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and one pass defended.

His final game included a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Frisco Police investigate possible suicide in Marshawn Kneeland’s decease

More details have come to light after Marshawn Kneeland’s passing. The Frisco Police announced that the player was found dead “from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound” after he fled Texas Department of Public Safety troopers in a vehicular chase Wednesday night.

“A man was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following an outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco.

“Initial reports indicated that a male subject, later identified as 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, TX fled the scene on foot . Officers established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area with the assistance of the FPD K-9 and Drone units.

“During the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations. Kneeland was later located at 1:31a.m., deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The cause/manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.”

The Cowboys have experienced a rollercoaster of a week. They started losing to the Cardinals before adding Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams ahead of the trade deadline. Kneeland’s news is a big blow to the organization.