Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, has died at the age of 24. The young football star reportedly took his own life late Wednesday night. Authorities discovered his body from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he fled from Texas State troopers around 10:30 PM local time.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) released a statement on Thursday detailing the events leading up to his death. Troopers attempted to pull Kneeland over for a traffic violation on the Dallas North Tollway, but he refused to stop. This refusal led to a car chase, during which authorities lost sight of Kneeland”s vehicle.
Subsequently, his car was found abandoned following a crash on Dallas Parkway. The DPS, in conjunction with the Frisco Police Department, conducted a search of the nearby area, where they ultimately found Kneeland deceased.
Audio from police dispatch related to the incident revealed that Kneeland had said goodbye to his family during what seemed to be a mental health crisis late Wednesday. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the football community, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness among athletes.
