SX Gone Too Soon: How the Cowboys Are Remembering Marshawn Kneeland With Love and Unity

The football world was stunned by the tragic news of the passing of Marshawn Kneeland at the age of 24. A rising star in the Dallas Cowboys’ organization, he embodied both raw athletic talent and an earnest human spirit. As the Cowboys prepare to honour his memory — wearing a helmet decal with his number 94 and special tribute T-shirts for the next couple of games, culminating in a video tribute and moment of silence ahead of their November 23 home game against the Philadelphia Eagles where his family and girlfriend Catalina will attend — it is worth reflecting on his journey, the immediate impact of this loss and how his legacy will live on.

A Journey of Determination

Born on July 8, 2001, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Marshawn Kneeland attended Godwin Heights High School, where his potential first began to shine. In his senior year, he recorded 110 tackles and eight sacks on defence, while also contributing offensively with 20 receptions for 330 yards and five touchdowns. From those early days, he displayed a rare combination of power, athleticism and drive.

He went on to play college football at Western Michigan Broncos from 2019-2023, and by his final season had earned Second-Team All-Mid-American Conference honours. His college career tabulated 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks. What made his story even more compelling was the hardship he faced: the loss of his mother in early 2024, a tragedy that he carried with him physically — reportedly wearing a necklace bearing her ashes — as a testament to her memory.

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round (56th overall). He played 11 games in his rookie season, overcoming injury, and looked poised for further growth in 2025. Then came November 2025: just days after recovering a blocked punt and scoring his first career touchdown during a Monday Night Football game, the unthinkable happened. On Nov 6, he was found dead in Frisco, Texas, in what authorities say was an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit.

The Immediate Response: Shock, Mourning, Unity

The Cowboys, the NFL and the broader football community responded to Kneeland’s death with sorrow and urgency. In a statement, the Dallas Cowboys said: “It 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.”

Team officials have since spoken openly about the emotional toll on the locker room. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer shared that “my heart is heavy. Our team’s heart is heavy. We don’t move on, but we do move forward.” Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones described himself as “devastated” by the loss of someone so young and full of promise.

In recognition of both the personal grief and broader context, the Cowboys established a memorial fund — the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund — to support Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, and their unborn child. Coach Schottenheimer emphasized, “We want to make sure she’s taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives.”

How the Cowboys Will Honour Him

The upcoming games will hold special significance. According to multiple news sources, the Cowboys will wear decals on their helmets bearing Kneeland’s number (#94) and don special T-shirts for the next couple of games. On November 23, at the team’s home game vs the Eagles, there will be a video tribute and moment of silence before kickoff, with Kneeland’s family and girlfriend in attendance. This acts as both a celebration of his life and a reminder of the human element that often lies behind the headlines.

What Kneeland Meant to His Teammates and Fans

Although his NFL career was brief, Kneeland left an indelible mark. Teammates described him as someone who “poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field.” His journey — from Michigan high-school standout to NFL defensive end — resonated with many, particularly because of the adversity he faced and the grace with which he approached it.

One of the most compelling elements of his personality was his humility. He came into the league with raw physical tools but combined them with boundless work ethic and a grounded sense of perspective. Off the field, he was deeply loved by family and friends, described with terms like “kind,” “determined,” “humble,” and “full of love.”

For fans, Kneeland’s ascent provided hope and exemplified the notion that talent alone wasn’t enough — character mattered too. His recovery of a blocked punt for a touchdown just days before his death became emblematic of how he seized opportunity and made his mark.

The Broader Conversation: Mental Health and Athlete Support

Kneeland’s tragic passing underscores a deeply troubling reality in professional sports: mental health struggles don’t discriminate. In the wake of his death, many in the NFL community — including former teammates and commentators — have called for greater awareness, support, and resources for athletes navigating personal battles.

The Dallas Cowboys’ immediate response, including grief counselling, team meetings and a private vigil, highlight how unprepared sports organizations often are for these moments but also how critical it is that they act swiftly. Coach Schottenheimer noted there was “no playbook” for such an event. For players, it’s a powerful reminder that their identity off the field, their emotional and mental health, and their support systems are as vital as the physical preparation.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

What, then, does it mean to carry Marshawn Kneeland’s legacy forward? Here are several pathways:

• Remembering the Person, Not Just the Player: While his #94 jersey and on-field moments will be memorialised, equally important is the person behind the number — his values, his family, his dreams.
• Honouring Through Action: The memorial fund established by the Cowboys offers a tangible way to support Kneeland’s partner and unborn child, preserving his impact beyond the gridiron.
• Advocating for Mental Health: Let his story inspire stronger attention to mental health resources for athletes at every level — high school, college, professional. The human cost behind the headlines is real.
• Inspiring Those Who Follow: For younger players who looked up to him, Kneeland’s journey — of talent, adversity and hard work — remains a blueprint. He showed what was possible but also reminded us of the challenges hidden beneath the surface.
• Unity in Community: The Cowboys’ gesture of the helmet decal, T-shirts and tribute signals that a team is more than wins and losses. It’s a brotherhood, a community, a collective of lives, dreams and relationships. Fans, too, take part in this.

Looking Ahead: November 23 and Beyond

The emotional build-up to November 23 will be significant. The matchup against the Eagles at home will not only be about football, but about remembrance and healing. With a pregame moment of silence and a video tribute, players, fans and family will come together in due respect. The presence of Kneeland’s family and his girlfriend, Catalina, who is expecting the couple’s first baby, brings a deeply human element to the event.

As the Cowboys don their tribute apparel and helmet decals in upcoming games, they reaffirm a key message: it’s okay to pause, to reflect, to grieve — even within the high-stakes world of professional sports. And yet, they also affirm that the show goes on, that purpose survives, that legacies endure.

A Final Salute

Marshawn Kneeland’s life may have been cut tragically short, but the resonance of his journey will ripple far beyond his time on the field. In the turf-stained moments of victory, in the locker-room laughter, in the silent moments of reflection, his story will be remembered.

When the Cowboys step onto the field wearing #94 decals, when they raise their voices in cheers and moments of silence, they honour not just an athlete, but a young man with big dreams, strong character, and a legacy waiting to be fulfilled through others. His unborn child will carry his name, his fanbase will carry his memory, and his teammates will carry the example of what it means to give fully — to live fully.

In the words of his coach: we do not move on, but we move forward. The football world will always remember Marshawn Kneeland. 🕊️