“You’re Going to Have a Great Career”: Ex-Cowboys DC Opens Up About His Last Conversation With Marshawn Kneeland

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland reportedly passed away this morning, a shocking news that seems to have come out of nowhere. On Monday Night Football, he had recovered a blocked punt and scored his first career touchdown. Today, he is no longer with us. He was just 24.

The cause of death is believed to be suicide, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. The Frisco, Texas Police Department released a statement saying they were responding to the Texas Department of Public Safety after a car in the North Dallas area had evaded state troopers.

The car crashed, and Kneeland, identified as the driver, had fled the scene on foot. Later, the NFL star was found dead. Authorities are still learning more about what must have happened.

In reaction to the tragedy, former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer shared some heartfelt words.

“He was a great person, eager to learn, wanted to be great. He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard-loved playing the game. Tough,” Zimmer told Jane Slater. 

In his rookie season last year, Kneeland started in just one game, registering 14 tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. This season, his role was beginning to expand, as he started in three games and logged a sack.

Zimmer also shared what he told Kneeland during their final chat: “My last conversation with him was keep being you, you’re going to have a great career.”

As coaches, players and fans react to the shocking news this morning of Marshawn Kneeland’s death, a note from his former DC Mike Zimmer to me.

“He was a great person, eager to learn .. wanted to be great. He didn’t take any crap from anyone on the field. He studied hard-loved… pic.twitter.com/K9CQIMqIv0

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 6, 2025

It’s just heartbreaking, really. In reaction to the news, the Cowboys, the NFL, and Kneeland’s agent have been left in shock. The team released a statement expressing how beloved a teammate he was and that this news comes with extreme sadness.

Kneeland’s agent also put out a long message that he shared on social media.

“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. 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,” Kneeland’s agent wrote, adding,

“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.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kneeland family and his girlfriend, Catalina. It must be devastating what they’re going through. Marshawn seemed like a great dude who had a great laugh and brought joy to everyone around him. He was just achieving his NFL dream after losing his mother. It’s hard to put into words how devastating this is.