Tragic Loss for the Cowboys
Dak Prescott, the quarterback for the Cowboys, expressed his heartbreak following the suicide of teammate Marshawn Kneeland, which occurred during a police chase in suburban Dallas late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.
During a dedication ceremony at Houghton High School, his former school in Louisiana, Prescott became visibly emotional as he reflected on the devastating news. “It’s been a really tough day,” he told CBS New Texas. “I started hearing about it early on. It’s a tragic loss. My heart feels heavy right now. I’m hurting for Marshawn, his family, and his girlfriend, Catalina. It’s painful—my teammates are feeling it too.”
He continued, “This is a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I think none of us wanted to experience this. And perhaps Marshawn wished he could have avoided whatever he was going through. We need to appreciate every moment and not take things for granted. A simple hug or showing love means a lot.”
Prescott, who faced similar grief after losing his brother Jace to suicide in 2020, shared that this day felt like a significant turning point for him.
When asked what he would say to anyone struggling, he said, “It’s okay to feel however you feel.” He acknowledged his uncertainty today, admitting, “I don’t have all the answers, especially today.”
He reflected on the challenge of balancing emotions and the difficulty of expressing love to friends and family during tough times.
Kneeland, who was 24 years old, died after a police chase on Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. The Texas Department of Public Safety reported he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound and had previously expressed suicidal thoughts.
During the pursuit, Kneeland’s girlfriend, Katarina, reportedly received a concerning message from him and had been trying to reach out to his agent.
Prescott’s experience with loss is deepened by his brother’s death at the age of 31 and their mother’s passing due to colon cancer in 2013, which deeply affected him during his college years.
Reflecting on the grief he experienced, Prescott said, “So, obviously, tears and more tears. I wanted to understand what happened and question why.” He also noted the burden his brother carried.
Feeling the weight of such losses can be overwhelming. If you or someone you know is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, it’s important to reach out for help.
