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On November 6, 2025, news broke that Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, died at the age of 24. The sports world was plunged into mourning and shock, with fans noting that Kneeland had just scored his first NFL touchdown on Monday Night Football. Speculation on his cause of death was quick. As hours passed, more details on Kneeland’s death have been made public. The situation remains confusing, but reports indicate both the NFL and Kneeland’s romantic partner were in touch with police before the 24-year-old’s body was located. His cause of death is believed to be suicide.

Marshawn Kneeland’s final hours involved a police chase

Marshawn Kneeland is believed to have died by suicide on November 6, but the incident that led to his death began the previous night. According to several sources, Kneeland was pursued by the Texas Department of Public Safety after he refused to stop for a routine traffic stop. The attempted traffic stop occurred at 10:33 pm local time. It is unclear where Kneeland was coming from or where he was headed at the time of the stop.

Kneeland took off, and police gave chase. He reportedly crashed his vehicle before taking off on foot sometime before 11 pm. Police located Kneeland’s body near his abandoned vehicle in the early morning hours of November 6. According to Reuters, the NFL star died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police were in touch with Kneeland’s girlfriend and the NFL before discovering his body

Kneeland’s attempt to evade police appears to have jump-started a deadly series of events. Still, several reports indicate the 24-year-old was suffering from mental health issues before November 5. According to People, police received a call from a woman identified as Catalina Mancera around 11:30 pm on November 5.

Mancera, who is believed to have been Kneeland’s girlfriend, told police that Kneeland had sent “goodbye” texts to family members and that he was armed and struggling with his mental health. According to reports obtained by People, Mancera attempted to contact several people while on the phone with 911 dispatchers, fearing that Kneeland would take his life.

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Mancera wasn’t the only person trying to save Kneeland on the night of his death. According to the same report, the NFL was also in contact with local police as they searched for Kneeland. A representative for the league was in touch with the Plano Police Department. They advised officers that Kneeland was experiencing some type of mental health crisis. An additional welfare call came in before the NFL star’s body was ultimately found. It is unclear who placed that call, though.

It remains unclear what type of mental health concerns the 24-year-old had before his death, or how he was managing them. The type of traffic violation Kneeland allegedly commited has not been made public. The 24-year-old was in his second year with the Dallas Cowboys. He had no prior run-ins with the police.

Both the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys have issued statements following Kneeland’s death.

This is a developing story.

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