Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, the NFL team announced on Thursday.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
Kneeland, who was in his second year with the Cowboys, scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on Monday during a 27–17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.
In a statement, the Cowboys said: “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved team-mate and member of our organisation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.”
Kneeland missed six games during his rookie season in 2024 due to injury but still appeared in 11 matches, starting once. This season, he had featured in seven games before his untimely death.