Marshawn Kneeland, a promising defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, has died at the age of 24. The team confirmed the news on Thursday, expressing their deep sorrow in a statement. "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 organisation. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family," the statement read.

Kneeland, who was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, had recently celebrated a significant milestone in his career. Just days before his passing, he scored his first NFL touchdown during a game against the Arizona Cardinals, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone. Throughout his two seasons in the league, he played in 18 games, recording 26 tackles and one sack.

His agent, Jonathan Prezley, shared his grief on social media, stating, "I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream of 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."

The NFL also expressed condolences, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends, and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counselling resources."

Kneeland's teammates have taken to social media to pay tribute. Dallas defensive end Sam Williams posted, "#LLYOU" alongside a picture of Kneeland, while KaVontae Turpin wrote, "Love you kid." Kenny Murphy added, "Fly high brother," and Phil Mafah commented, "Rip Brodie."

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kneeland had a standout college career at Western Michigan. His journey to the NFL was marked by personal tragedy, as he lost his mother, Wendy, shortly before the draft. Kneeland had spoken about the impact of her passing, saying, "It was definitely tough. I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL’ and I made it."

The cause of Kneeland's death has not yet been disclosed. His untimely passing has left a profound impact on his team and the wider NFL community, as they mourn the loss of a talented young player with a bright future ahead.