Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed his profound sadness upon learning about the death of Marshawn Kneeland last week. Kneeland, who was only 24 years old, reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities.
In a discussion on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Jones acknowledged the impact of Kneeland”s death on the team and the wider community, noting that other NFL teams paid tribute by observing a moment of silence before their games. He emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues and the need for support during difficult times.
“I think we all have unfettered feelings about the people we love, people we work with, and this is just a time when you acknowledge that there”s no answers,” Jones stated. He reflected on how such tragedies can inspire individuals to live fully and to seek the best in one another. “His death is such a national awareness thing that it takes on some of that light when we think about how we go forward,” he added.
On Monday, following their bye week, the Cowboys returned to The Star for their first in-person team meeting since Kneeland”s passing. The team plans to honor him throughout the remainder of the season, with special decals on their helmets and commemorative T-shirts for at least the next two games.
As they prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, the Cowboys are also making arrangements for a moment of silence during their game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on November 23. Jones emphasized the uniqueness of Kneeland”s spirit and his enthusiasm for life and football.
“He was very unique in his zest for life, and he was very unique for his passion for the game,” Jones said. The loss is especially poignant for Jones, who noted, “Of course, the saddest thing for someone like me is the fact that he”s only 24 years old. You think about all of the time that we”re going to miss him and he”s going to be missed by the people around him. He was just getting started.”
