FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, 24, died Thursday morning from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to law enforcement officials.

The Cowboys released a statement expressing deep sorrow but did not mention a cause of death.

“It is with profound sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

The organization has made counseling resources available to all players, coaches, and staff. The team is currently on its bye week and will resume practice Monday.

According to Frisco Police, officers responded late Wednesday night to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in locating a vehicle that had fled from troopers during a pursuit entering the city around 10:39 p.m. CT.

Kneeland’s vehicle was later found crashed along southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. Authorities said he fled the scene on foot, prompting a search using K-9 units and drones.

While the search was underway, dispatchers reported that people close to Kneeland had received a group text messagefrom him saying goodbye, raising concerns for his safety. Roughly three hours later, officers found Kneeland deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, shared his heartbreak in a statement:

“I am 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 to becoming 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 released a statement saying it was “deeply saddened” by Kneeland’s death and is offering support and counseling resources to the Cowboys organization.

At Western Michigan University, head coach Lance Taylor expressed grief over the loss:

“My heart is absolutely broken. Marshawn was so much more than an incredible football player — he was a remarkable young man whose energy, leadership, and smile were contagious. His passion for life and his teammates was unmatched. He will forever be part of the Bronco brotherhood.”

Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft (No. 56 overall). In Monday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, he scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.

This season, he had recorded 15 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 6 quarterback pressures. As a rookie, he missed six games due to injury but still managed 17 tackles and 13 pressures.

Former Cowboys assistant coach Greg Ellis, who mentored Kneeland last year, described him as a dedicated and respectful player:

“He epitomized what you look for in a football player — hard-working, eager to learn, always respectful. You hear a lot about this generation, but that wasn’t Marshawn. He was a ‘Yes, sir. No, sir’ kind of guy who always wanted to do extra — more film, more work.”

Before his NFL career, Kneeland set school records at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, for tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. At Western Michigan, he played 38 games, posting 27.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, earning second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2023.

This tragedy marks another heartbreaking loss for the Cowboys. In 2012, linebacker Jerry Brown was killed in a car crash involving teammate Josh Brent, and in 2020, strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul passed away after a medical emergency.