Marshawn Kneeland: Biography & NFL Career

Marshawn Kneeland (July 8, 2001 – November 6, 2025) was an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played two seasons with the Cowboys until his death in November 2025. Kneeland played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos, earning second-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors in 2023, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

On November 6, 2025, Kneeland’s gunshot wound was found following an hours-long police manhunt. His death is being investigated as a suicide.

Marshawn Kneeland was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 8, 2001^[1]^[2]. He attended Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan.^[3] He played linebacker in high school.^[4] As a senior, he had 110 tackles and eight sacks on defense and 20 receptions for 330 yards and five touchdowns on offense. He committed to Western Michigan University to play college football.^[5]

Kneeland played for the Broncos at Western Michigan University from 2019 to 2023.^[6]^[7]^[8] He was a second-team All-MAC selection in 2023.^[9]During his career, he had 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks. He recorded three turnovers and three interceptions.^[10] Despite not being heavily recruited out of high school, Kneeland became a promising prospect for the NFL and earned an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine.^[11]

Kneeland’s mother died suddenly of an undisclosed illness in February 2024, two months before the Cowboys drafted him. Kneeland carries his mother’s ashes with him in a necklace at all times^[12]. Tennessee Titans quarterback Mike Brown is Kneeland’s cousin.^[13]

Kneeland lived in Plano, Texas. He died in Frisco, Texas, on November 6, 2025, at the age of 24, during his second season in the NFL.^[14]On the same day, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported that Kneeland was involved in a police pursuit last night after failing to stop for a traffic violation. The search was ended after their officers lost sight of his car. His girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, later told police that he was armed, had a history of mental illness, and would “protect everything.” According to police, they responded to a “disturbance and disturbance” at the Kneeland apartment complex, but no one was home. His car was later found abandoned after an accident. According to police, he was found dead nearby “from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” The local police are investigating his death as a possible suicide.^[15]

Following his death, the Cowboys released a statement describing him as a “loving teammate” and sending thoughts and prayers to his family. It was also revealed that Catalina Mancera is pregnant with the first two children born to the couple.^[16]