The American football community is mourning the tragic loss of Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, who died last week at just 24 years old, while simultaneously rallying around his heartbroken partner Catalina who has revealed she is expecting their child.
Football Community Rallies Around Grieving Family
A memorial fundraiser has been established to support Catalina and her unborn baby after Kneeland took his own life following a police pursuit. Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed the team's profound grief and commitment to supporting the young family.
"We want to make sure she's taken care of, and the baby's taken care of for the rest of their lives," Schottenheimer stated. "Our guys are very - it's very important to them and to us. My heart is heavy. Our team's heart is heavy. We don't move on, but we do move forward."
The coach described the emotional impact on the team, noting how difficult it was to speak at Kneeland's candlelight vigil. He emphasized the importance of taking things one day at a time and leaning on each other for support during this challenging period.
Tragic Final Hours and Police Pursuit
The circumstances surrounding Kneeland's death began when police attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. According to official statements, the 24-year-old refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit that ended when he crashed his vehicle around 10:33 PM local time.
After the collision, Kneeland fled the scene on foot. Police lost visual contact but located his crashed vehicle minutes later on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. Tragically, his body was discovered several hours later at 1:31 AM on Thursday.
Authorities confirmed Kneeland died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. During their search for the footballer, police had received information that Kneeland had previously "expressed suicidal ideations."
Promising Career Cut Short
Kneeland's football journey showed tremendous promise before his untimely death. The Dallas Cowboys selected him as their second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, making him the 56th overall selection.
During his rookie season, the defensive lineman played in 11 games and appeared in seven contests in 2025, recording his first career sack in Week 1. In a poignant final achievement, Kneeland scored a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals just one week before his death, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.
His career statistics included:
- 26 tackles in 18 NFL games
- 1 sack and 1 forced fumble
- 1 pass defended
- 149 tackles during his collegiate career at Western Michigan University
- 13 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 38 college games
Before his professional career, Kneeland attended Western Michigan University beginning in 2019 and nearly transferred to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado in 2022 before deciding to remain in his home state of Michigan.
The NFL Players' Association released a statement expressing deep sadness, noting "his impact on those around him was immeasurable, and his loss is felt profoundly across our community." The union confirmed they're working to ensure players have necessary support systems.
The Cowboys' next game is scheduled for November 17, though the team continues to process their grief. Kneeland's legacy extends beyond football - at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, he set school records for tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks while serving as team captain. He also excelled in track, becoming a regional champion in the 400 meters and an all-conference high jumper.
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