The girlfriend of late Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland told police she was concerned that he would “end it all” before the defensive end took his own life early Thursday.
In police audio obtained by TMZ, Kneeland’s girlfriend told the dispatcher that he was “armed” and had a history of mental illness. She also said that the second-year pro had texted his family “goodbye.”
On Thursday morning, the Frisco Police department released a statement saying that Kneeland had died by “an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound” following a police pursuit.
“We’re talking to the girlfriend, she’s trying to call the agent, so we’re trying to get her to call him first but she’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness, and her quote was, ‘He will end it all,’” the dispatcher said audio clip.
“You all do me a favour: Everybody stay with a buddy, don’t go looking alone, this guy is armed.”
Kneeland’s girlfriend and family were “concerned for his welfare” during the incident.
“I just received a group text from him saying goodbye, they’re concerned for his welfare, they do not have a key to the apartment,” another dispatcher said.
The dispatch audio also revealed that Kneeland was found in a porta-potty near a building,
“We didn’t see any movement, still got that heat signature, looks like it’s curled up at the bottom of that porta-potty,” the dispatcher said. “With the stream of blood coming from the porta-potty.”
“He’s going to be laying on his side, facing inward, and quite a bit of blood coming out,” another person stated.
How did Kneeland get to this point?
According to a statement, Frisco PD said that units responded on Wednesday at 10:39 p.m. to assist Texas Department of Public Safety in locating a vehicle that had “evaded troopers.” It was later found “crashed” on the Dallas Parkway.
The statement said that the male subject, identified as Kneeland, fled the scene on foot while officers established a perimeter and searched the area using K-9 units and drones.
During the search, police said officers “received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations,” and that Kneeland was found at 1:31 a.m. “deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Official cause of death is yet to be determined by the county medical examiner and investigations remain ongoing.
The team had announced the death of the defensive lineman earlier Thursday, but did not release any details.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the Cowboys said in a statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization.
“Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
The NFL said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counselling resources.”
Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed his client’s death in a statement to NFL.com,
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night.” Perzley wrote. “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.
“My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
Kneeland just had biggest NFL moment
The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, 56th overall, out of Western Michigan. He played in 18 games for Dallas, starting four, and had 26 tackles, four QB hits and one sack in his career.
During Monday night’s 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for his first career touchdown.
The Dallas Cowboys are on their bye week and will return to practice on Monday. Their next game is set for Monday, Nov. 17, against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Cowboys, who have a record of 3-5-1 on the season, made a trade before this Tuesday’s deadline to acquire star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets in a bid to bolster their run defence.