The Dallas Cowboys sadly lost defensive end Marshawn Kneeland on Thursday. It was the type of heartbreaking loss you just can’t prepare for.

Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys with the 56th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was a highly-coveted prospect due to his success at Western Michigan. From 2019-2023, he racked up 148 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks

Earlier this week, Kneeland recovered a block punt for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Less than 72 hours later, the Cowboys were informed that he passed away from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

“A man was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following an outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco,” the media release from the Frisco Police Department said. “On November 5, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Frisco Police Department responded to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety, with locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered the city of Frisco. After losing visual of the vehicle, troopers located it minutes later, crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. Initial reporters indicated that a male subject, identified as 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, TX fled the scene on foot.”

On Friday morning, Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas called out NFL fans for how they’ve responded to Kneeland’s death.

Thomas claims some fans keep saying the loss of Kneeland should inspire Dallas for the rest of the season. While that could eventually be true, there are things in life bigger than football.

“Stay outta my DM with the ‘this if this doesn’t spark Yalls defense’… I could care less about that s–t right now,” Thomas wrote on X. “I just lost a brother, that I bled, sweated and cried tears with… Yall so caught up in this sports stuff , that y’all Mfs forget we just like y’all… But I expect that from y’all…..”

Dak Prescott chimes in.

Speaking to the media Thursday night, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a very heartfelt response to a question about Kneeland’s death.

“It’s been a very tough day,” Prescott told CBS Sports Texas. “Tragic loss, I hurt—heavy heavy heart today. I hurt for Marshawn, I hurt for his family. I hurt for his girlfriend. I hurt for every single one of my teammates. This is a pain you don’t wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn’t have to go through what he went through.”

We’re keeping Kneeland’s family, friends and teammates in our thoughts.