The late Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland’s family shared a poignant tribute to him following his death at age 24 in November 2025.
Kneeland died by suicide following a police chase on November 6, 2025, according to the Frisco Police Department. Marshawn’s body was discovered around 1:30 a.m. after he crashed his car and fled the scene on foot.
Marshawn’s girlfriend, Catalina, had previously called 911 to report that he was acting erratically and had “a history of mental illness.”
“The Kneeland family can confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Marshawn Kneeland,” the family said in a statement via Facebook. “We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief. As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field — as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has spoken out after teammate Marshawn Kneeland‘s sudden death. Prescott, 32, reacted to the “tragic loss” on Thursday, November 6, telling CBS Sports Texas, “It’s been a very tough day. [I found out] early this morning.” The athlete went on to address Kneeland’s loved ones. “I hurt. Heavy, heavy heart […]
Their statement continued, “He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.”
Keep scrolling for more information on Kneeland’s family.
Joel Shawn Kneeland
Joel Shawn and Wendy Kneeland welcomed their son Marshawn in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 8, 2001, according to The Athletic. The couple also shared three other children: sons A.J. and Shawn Michael as well as daughter Yahmya Kneeland.
Wendy Kneeland
Marshawn’s mother, Wendy Kneeland, passed away from an undisclosed illness in February 2024, prior to the defensive end being drafted to the Dallas Cowboys in April of that year.
Once he joined the Cowboys, Marshawn started wearing a chain around his neck with a small urn that contained some of Wendy’s ashes. He opened up to The Dallas Morning News in 2024 about the impact of losing his mom shortly before the draft.
“It was definitely tough,” he acknowledged. “I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL,’ and I made it.”
Marshawn went on, “It’s a hard situation just knowing she got to see me potentially going to the NFL and going through [the process]. She’s still with me. I got this urn of her ashes I carry with me everywhere. I still feel like she’s there watching over me.”
During another interview with WZZM, Marshawn spoke about how Wendy played a key role in his football career by “driving me around [and] trying to find a place for me to do football” when he was a kid.
“I started off with two-hand tap football,” he remembered. “She was there for all of my games in high school, as much as she could.”
A.J. Kneeland
Marshawn’s brother A.J. Kneeland is a performer signed by Western Michigan agency Unique Models and Talent.
He has frequently showcased his modeling work via Instagram and also celebrated major milestones, including the birth of his son, Alijah Jay, in June 2017.
Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland had the support of his girlfriend, Catalina, before his tragic death. Catalina called the police on Wednesday, November 5, in an attempt to get Kneeland help before he ultimately died by suicide in the early morning hours of Thursday, November 6. “We’re talking to his girlfriend,” a 911 dispatcher said […]
“If I could gift wrap the globe, I’d give you the world,” A.J. lovingly wrote to his son in July 2017.
Like Marshawn, A.J. has a background in football.
Shawn Michael Kneeland
There is very exclusive public information about Marshawn’s brother Shawn Michael Kneeland, as he doesn’t have public social media accounts.
Yahmya Kneeland
Marshawn’s sister Yahmya Kneeland’s public Facebook profile lists her occupation as a “digital content creator.” She describes herself as a “shorty mom” in her Facebook bio.
Following the death of mom Wendy in April 2024, Yahmya penned a heart-wrenching message about grief for Mother’s Day.
“Mother’s day is coming up. It’s my first one without my mom… I know yall mean well & want to make sure I’m ok but please don’t text me that day; it will hurt too bad, I already had her gift picked out this year,” she wrote. “I know I gotta pour all the love that has no where to go for my mom into my daughter, but I’m all the way in Korea without [my daughter] Maliyah rn. So long story short, this year ain’t it. But everyday I wake up and make shit happen, with tears in my eyes & a hole in my heart; I’m alive so I’m thankful. Thank yall for thinking about me, I will be ok. I love you.”
In happier times, she cheered on brother Marshawn ahead of him being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in April 2024.
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