The Dallas Cowboys have formally announced a series of tributes to honor defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who tragically passed away last week at just 24 years old.
Kneeland’s death occurred during the team’s Week 10 bye, giving players and coaches additional time to process the heartbreaking loss before returning to football. Now, as Dallas prepares for its Week 11 road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the organization has made clear that Kneeland’s memory will remain at the forefront.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys will wear helmet decals for the remainder of the season and special tribute t-shirts ahead of their next two games – Monday night against Las Vegas and their Week 12 home game versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
That Nov. 23 game at AT&T Stadium will mark an especially emotional moment, as Kneeland’s family and girlfriend are expected to attend. Per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, the Cowboys will hold a video tribute and moment of silence before kickoff.
The Cowboys continue to mourn their loss
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones addressed the tragedy during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, saying the situation has been “very difficult” to process.
“This is very difficult, I can’t imagine for his family,” Jones said. “And then of course, you talk about his extended family, which is his teammates and the Cowboys organization and everybody who cared and loved Marshawn so much.”
Kneeland, a second-year defensive end from Michigan and a former second-round draft pick, was found dead on Nov. 6 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound near a crashed vehicle north of Dallas, Texas DPS officials said.
Police had attempted to stop Kneeland for a traffic violation in Addison just hours earlier, but he fled before crashing into a pickup truck near the Dallas Tollway. The other driver was unharmed.
Kneeland’s last goodbye
Authorities later confirmed Kneeland had texted a “goodbye” message to loved ones, and police dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE noted concerns for his safety due to a history of mental illness.
Across the league, teams held moments of silence in his memory Sunday – including overseas in Berlin, Germany, where the Indianapolis Colts faced the Atlanta Falcons.
The Cowboys and Raiders are scheduled to kick off Monday Night Football at 7:15 p.m. CT as Dallas continues navigating both grief and the remainder of its season.
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