Dallas Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland’s Girlfriend Called Police Hours Before His Death

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was at the center of a late-night emergency that sparked a multi-agency response. Just hours later, authorities confirmed the devastating outcome.

It began with a chilling emergency call and ended in heartbreak. Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, just 24 years old, was discovered dead in the early hours of November 5, 2025 — the victim of what officials now confirm was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

What unfolded that night was a harrowing manhunt involving law enforcement agencies, a frightened girlfriend, and a final, ominous message from Kneeland himself. And by the time the sun rose over Frisco, Texas, a promising young life had been lost.

Marshawn Kneeland stands on the sideline during the national anthem before an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Texas on December 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Authorities say the terrifying ordeal began when Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers pursued a vehicle into Frisco at approximately 10:39 p.m.. Behind the wheel was Kneeland. In shocking dispatch audio from that night, Kneeland's girlfriend, Catalina, frantically tried to help after calling 911.

She revealed to dispatchers that the athlete was "armed" and had a history of mental illness. Catalina said she was contacting his agent, but was told to call Kneeland directly instead. Then came the most chilling part of her call — one that sent officers into overdrive. "He will end it all," she warned.

Moments later, a female dispatcher revealed Kneeland had sent a group text to loved ones, saying goodbye — a final act that sent his family and friends spiraling into panic.

While Kneeland's loved ones desperately hoped for the best outcome, officers on the ground were racing against time. The athlete's vehicle was found crashed along the southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway, but he was nowhere to be seen.

He had fled the wreck on foot, sparking a full-scale search effort involving K-9 units and drones. Then, something caught officers' attention — something that stopped them cold. A responder noted a portable toilet near a building had its door slightly ajar, and from it came a pool of red liquid. "Looks like the door's open. Red liquid coming out from [sic] it," the officer radioed in.

A heat signature confirmed someone was inside. Inside that portable toilet was the lifeless body of Kneeland. A responder described what they saw:

"He's going to be lying on his side facing inward and quite a bit of blood coming out."

Marshawn Kneeland runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

The National Football League (NFL) player was officially pronounced dead just after 1:30 a.m. The Collin County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death. The investigation remains open, with no additional details released.

The horrifying discovery has sent shockwaves through the sports world and left his family grieving an unimaginable loss.

Two days prior, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in a game against the Arizona Cardinals. One fan page of the Dallas Cowboys shared a video of the play on their Instagram account, marking a standout moment in what was the early stage of his professional career.

Following the heartbreaking news of his death, his agent, Jonathan Perzley of Sportstars, Inc., issued a public statement on Instagram. He reflected on Kneeland's journey from a determined college athlete at Western Michigan University (WMU) to a respected player in the NFL, highlighting his work ethic, character, and impact on those around him.

Perzley also asked for privacy for Kneeland's family, teammates, and loved ones as they cope with the devastating loss.

The news also drew responses from WMU, where Kneeland played from 2019 to 2023. The athletic department described him as a key figure in the football program and a valued member of the campus community.

Kneeland earned a degree in Sports Management and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, following a strong final season and an appearance in the Reese's Senior Bowl.

Marshawn Kneeland takes part in National Team practice ahead of the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on February 1, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Head coach Lance Taylor, who led the Broncos during Kneeland's senior year, said the defensive end made a lasting impression in a short time. He said:

"Marshawn was so much more than an incredible football player—he was a remarkable young man who meant so much to our program and to me personally. His leadership, energy, and smile were infectious, and he left a lasting impact on everyone in our program."

Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae noted that while Kneeland's football ability helped him reach the NFL, it was his presence off the field — his respectful nature, enthusiasm, and relationships within the team — that defined his impact at Western Michigan.

A tribute to Marshawn Kneeland is displayed on the arena screen before the Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks game in Texas on November 6, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

Former defensive line coach David Denham also reflected on Kneeland's early development, pointing to his discipline and self-motivation. In a May 2024 Dallas Cowboys interview, he explained:

"Marshawn really separated himself by – and this was all due to the fact that he saw the elder statesmen in the room doing this – being in the facility at 6 a.m. doing prehab, not rehab, where he would get his body loose, stretch and actively ready to go."

Denham recalled that Kneeland regularly put in extra work outside the team's scheduled practices. After finishing his afternoon classes, he would return to the facility to review film, ask detailed questions, and focus on improving his performance.

To support his development, Denham gave him targeted assignments — such as analyzing second-and-medium situations — which Kneeland completed with focus and precision. Over time, his routine of walking through plays alone on the field and applying what he had studied began to set him apart from others on the roster.

Marshawn Kneeland of Western Michigan runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Denham added that this dedication reflected habits Marshawn Kneeland had observed in veteran players like Braden Fiske, whose methodical approach to preparation he naturally adopted. Before joining WMU, Kneeland starred at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, earning First Team All-State honors as a senior.

The athlete, once celebrated for his raw talent and power on the field, is now part of a devastating statistic — a young athlete lost to suicide. His tragic passing is a stark reminder of the mental health crisis gripping professional sports, and the private struggles that too often remain invisible until it's too late.

Marshawn Kneeland warms up before a football game at Empower Field on October 26, 2025, in Denver, Colorado | Source: Getty Images

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.