Cowboys Honor Late Defensive End Marshawn Kneeland

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed his profound grief over the tragic death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who passed away last week at the age of 24. Jones shared his sentiments on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, highlighting Kneeland's unique zest for life and passion for football.

He stated, "Of course, the saddest thing for someone like me is the fact that he's only 24 years old. You think about all of the time that we're going to miss him and he's going to be missed by the people around him.

He was just getting started." Tragically, police have indicated that Kneeland took his own life. Jones emphasized that this heartbreaking incident could potentially raise awareness surrounding mental health issues.

He remarked, "This death is such a national awareness thing that it takes on some of that light when we think about how we go forward." The Cowboys have not played since Kneeland's death as they were on a bye week, but they will honor him in their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders next Monday.

In tribute, players will wear t-shirts and decals on their helmets to commemorate Kneeland's memory. Jones noted, "From the standpoint of the team and going back to work, there's no doubt in my mind they will do so in memory of what he's all about." He also reflected on the emotional impact of losing a young player, stating, "I think we all have unfettered feelings about the people we love, people we work with, and this is just a time when you acknowledge that there's no answers." Kneeland had played 11 games in his rookie season and was beginning to take on a prominent role in 2025, even scoring his first career touchdown in his last game by recovering a blocked punt in the endzone.

The Cowboys' tribute to Kneeland serves as a testament to the team's commitment to its players and the emotional toll of losing a young talent. According to Jones, such moments make one want to live life to the fullest and search for the best in each other, as they navigate these difficult times.