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The Dallas Cowboys community is mourning the tragic loss of Marshawn Kneeland, a promising young defensive end who was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound early Thursday morning.

Authorities confirmed that Kneeland, 24, sent a series of goodbye texts to his family just hours before his death, following a police pursuit north of Dallas.

Marshawn Kneeland Final Moments and Heartbreaking Messages

According to dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE, Kneeland’s family received a group text message saying “goodbye” shortly before his death. “They just received a text from him, a group text from him saying goodbye,” a dispatcher can be heard saying in the recording. “They're concerned for his welfare.”

Moments later, Kneeland’s girlfriend, identified as Catalina, reportedly told authorities she feared for his safety. “She’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness,” a dispatcher relayed. “Her quote was, ‘He will end it all.’”

As police agencies across North Texas scrambled to locate him, another dispatcher noted that a representative from the NFL had contacted Plano Police to express concern. “The NFL is calling Plano PD and the subject is texting his family goodbye,” the dispatcher said.

Kneeland’s body was found near his crashed vehicle at 1:31 a.m. on November 6 in Frisco, Texas, just a few miles from Cowboys headquarters.

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Police Pursuit and Discovery

Authorities stated that the incident began around 10:33 p.m. Wednesday when Texas DPS troopers attempted to pull Kneeland over in Addison for a traffic violation. Kneeland refused to stop, initiating a high-speed chase that continued until officers lost visual contact with his vehicle.

His car was later discovered wrecked along the Dallas Parkway, where officers found him deceased nearby.

Full Texas DPS statement available here.

Dallas Cowboy: Rising Star Gone Too Soon

A Michigan native, Marshawn Kneeland rose from modest beginnings to achieve his dream of playing in the NFL. After a standout career at Western Michigan University, where he tallied 148 tackles and 13 sacks over five seasons, Kneeland was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 56th overall pick.

During his emotional draft call, Kneeland told then-coach Mike McCarthy, “I won’t let you down, man.” He played in 11 games as a rookie, earning praise from defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and scoring his first NFL touchdown on Monday Night Football earlier this week.

Watch his draft call on the Cowboys’ official site.

Personal Loss and Mental Health Struggles

Kneeland’s death comes less than a year after losing his mother, Wendy Kneeland, who passed away in February 2024. “It was definitely tough,” he told The Dallas Morning News at the time. “She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL,’ and I made it.”

He often wore a necklace containing his mother’s ashes, symbolizing how deeply her loss affected him.

From The Dallas Morning News

If You Need Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, or suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org for 24/7 support.