The 24-year-old rising defensive end scored his first-ever NFL touchdown on “Monday Night Football” days before his death.

Cause of death announced for Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland

The 24-year-old rising defensive end scored his first-ever NFL touchdown on "Monday Night Football" days before his death.

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November 6, 2025 1:43 p.m. ET

Marshawn Kneeland. Credit:

Perry Knotts/Getty

A cause of death has been announced following the death of 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.

According to a police report released Thursday by authorities in Frisco, Texas, Kneeland died "from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound" following "an outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search" in the city.

Per the report, the alleged incident began at approximately 10:39 p.m. local time, when authorities say the Frisco Police Department responded to the Texas Department of Public Safety to assist with "locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered the city of Frisco."

Marshawn Kneeland.

Ric Tapia/Getty

The report alleged that the subject was Kneeland, whom the report claimed "fled the scene on foot," leading to a search of the area involving canines and drones.

"During the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations," it continued. "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."

Authorities then extended "heartfelt condolences to the Kneeland family and friends" in the aftermath.**

** has reached out to Kneeland's management agency for comment.

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On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys announced Kneeland's death in an emotional statement online.

"It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning," the team wrote in a statement posted to their official Instagram account.

His agent, Jonathan Perzley, later confirmed the news on his Instagram account, writing that he was "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. 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."**

Marshawn Kneeland.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Kneeland, who wore No. 94 on the field, scored his first NFL touchdown Monday on primetime TV, during the Dallas Cowboys' matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on *Monday Night Football*.

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Born and raised in Michigan, he was a second-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Kneeland played for the Broncos football team at Western Michigan University from 2019-23.

During his two-season NFL career, Kneeland appeared in 18 games, with four as a starting defensive end. He recorded 26 tackles, four quarterback hits, and one sack.

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