rr Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has spoken out after teammate Marshawn Kneeland tragically died aged 24 on Thursday.Kneeland, a second-year
NFL player, was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Cowboys’ defensive end was tailed by police on Wednesday night, but was found dead hours after they lost sight of him during a traffic pursuit.Police found Kneeland’s crashed vehicle and conducted a search, which ended after three hours once his body was discovered. The story has rocked the sports community, and now Prescott has broken his silence on the devastating loss.Prescott confirmed that the team had a video call following Kneeland’s sudden death on Thursday, and the Cowboys’ quarterback admitted that the situation had been “very tough” on everyone. “I hurt for Marshawn, I hurt for his family, I hurt for his girlfriend, I hurt for every single one of my teammates,” Prescott told CBS Texas.
The passing hits close to home for Prescott, as his brother Jace took his own life in 2020. The Cowboys’ quarterback has since worked with several mental health charities and attempted to spread awareness while encouraging those suffering to speak out.
Prescott admitted that Kneeland’s death has been “triggering” and has the deepest sympathy for what his teammate was going through. “This is a pain that you don’t wish upon anybody,” he added.
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Kneeland was found dead on Thursday morning(Image: 2024 Cooper Neill)
“You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn’t have to go through what he went through.
“Tough moment for this team. I feel and hurt for everybody that’s involved in this and Marshawn’s family and loved ones.”Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, also paid tribute to the late Cowboys star. “I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Perzley said in a statement.
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The Dallas Stars paid tribute to Kneeland on Thursday night and altered the colors of its logo to Cowboys blue(Image: 2025 Sam Hodde)
“I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to 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. My heart aches for his family, his teammates and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time.
“I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”The Denver Broncos also paid tribute to Kneeland on Thursday night, ahead of beating the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7. Tributes are expected to continue over the weekend, but the Cowboys are on a bye week and won’t play until Nov. 17.Kneeland recovered a fumble and scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on Monday during a defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys next face the Raiders in Las Vegas.
