Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Makes First Statement on Marshawn Kneeland’s Death
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Jerry Jones was "devastated" by the news of Marshan Kneeland's death.
The Dallas Cowboys are mourning the loss of Marshawn Kneeland, and Jerry Jones is planning a special way to honor the late Cowboys defensive end.
The Cowboys owner and general manager opened up about Kneeland’s death for the first time on his weekly radio appearance on KRLD on Tuesday.
Kneeland, of course, died of what was reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police chase in Dallas on Thursday. The 24-year-old had spent two seasons in Dallas, after it chose him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys were on a bye this weekend but returned to practice Tuesday ahead of their upcoming game against the Raiders on Monday night at Allegiant Stadium.
Jerry Jones Was ‘Devastated’ By The Death Of Marshawn Kneeland
Jones had a one-word answer when asked about his reaction to the Kneeland news.
“Devastated,” Jones said. “Just hard to believe the content that was on the other phone in the middle of the night when we all got the news.”
Jones said the Cowboys will honor Kneeland by wearing t-shirts for warmups for their next two games, on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders and at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also said they will don a helmet decal acknowledging him as well, while noting the Cowboys players and staff will have to grapple with their grief the rest of the year.
“We all are having to share the sorrow, all are having to share the different ways or different things that come through your mind,” Jones said. “It’s not light that as a teammate, Marshawn touched everybody in many different ways.
“The very definition of team is we love each other, we rely on each other. That’s the ethos of what a team is about. Everybody expects that this is a rough game, it takes some real mental toughness to play the game, but in fact there’s a lot of love for each other there that is shared in unique ways, and you get to know each other pretty good.”
Brian Schottenheimer Is Helping The Cowboys’ Grieving Process
Losing a teammate midseason is going to have an impact on the Cowboys. Luckily, Jones said Dallas has an asset at dealing with this in coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“Schotty does have a realism about him because he simply was born into it in terms of being around anything unique about a football team,” Jones said. “I think we all have unfettered feelings about the people we love, people we work with.”
Kneeland became the latest Cowboys player to lose his life midseason — one of a handful since Jones took over the team in 1989. But Jones also acknowledged he is soul searching amid this tragedy.
“This is just a time when you acknowledge that there’s no answers,” Jones said. “It makes you want to live life to the fullest, it makes you want to look for the very best in what we have for each other, and in some way make some sense out of these times.”
“YOU DEFAMED ME ON LIVE TV — NOW PAY THE PRICE!” — Denver Broncos Head Coach, Sean Payton Drops $50 MILLION Legal Bomb on The View and Whoopi Goldberg After Explosive On-Air Ambush This wasn’t a disagreement.
In a shocking twist that’s sending shockwaves through both the NFL and Hollywood, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has reportedly filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against The View
According to legal filings obtained by multiple outlets, Payton’s lawsuit claims that the
“This wasn’t commentary,” one of Payton’s attorneys said in a fiery statement. “This was character execution — broadcast to millions.”
A Clash That Went Too Far
The now-infamous segment began innocently enough, with the hosts discussing leadership controversies in the NFL. But according to witnesses, things took a sharp turn when Goldberg allegedly made pointed remarks about Payton’s conduct, referring to him as “a man who hides behind his players when things go wrong.”
Sources close to Payton say the coach was blindsided. “He had no idea this was coming,” said one insider. “It wasn’t a debate — it was a trap.”
The fallout was immediate. Clips of the exchange spread rapidly across social media, racking up millions of views and igniting intense online debate. Some defended
Payton, known for his no-nonsense attitude and fierce loyalty to his players, was reportedly furious. Within 48 hours, his legal team had filed a notice of intent to sue, citing “irreparable harm to his public and professional reputation.”
“They Tried to Humiliate Me on Live TV”
In a statement released through his attorney, Payton did not mince words:
“They tried to humiliate me on live television. Now they’ll taste public humiliation in court.”
His legal team is reportedly preparing to call not only Goldberg but also The View producers, ABC network executives, and every co-host who “sat smirking while it happened” to testify.
“This lawsuit isn’t about ego,” the statement continues. “It’s about accountability. You can’t tear someone down for ratings and expect to walk away untouched.”
Legal Experts React
Media analysts say the case could become one of the most high-profile defamation battles in recent memory, raising fundamental questions about free speech, journalistic ethics, and the blurred line between entertainment and news.
“If Payton can prove that the statements were false and made with actual malice, he may have a real shot,” said media law expert Dana Preston. “But cases involving public figures are notoriously difficult. The burden of proof is extremely high.”
Meanwhile, ABC and The View have remained largely silent. A spokesperson for the network said only, “We are aware of the situation and have no comment at this time.” Goldberg’s representatives also declined to respond to requests for comment.
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The NFL Reacts
Inside NFL circles, the news hit like a thunderclap. Several coaches and players privately expressed support for Payton, while others cautioned against a public feud with one of television’s most powerful networks.
“Sean doesn’t back down from anyone,” one anonymous AFC coach told reporters. “If he feels disrespected, he’s going to fight back — that’s who he is.”
The Broncos organization has not issued an official statement, but team sources say Payton’s legal action is “a personal matter unrelated to football operations.” Still, the distraction comes at a critical time for the Broncos, who are struggling to regain consistency after a turbulent season.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the headlines, this case underscores a growing tension between public figures and the media. In the age of viral clips and online outrage, even a few words on live TV can spark career-altering consequences.
“They didn’t just cross a line,” said one insider close to Payton. “They bulldozed it. And now Sean’s about to bulldoze back.”
As the lawsuit moves forward, industry insiders predict a drawn-out legal war that could cost both sides millions and redefine the limits of live television commentary.
“This could be the case that changes everything,” said Preston. “If Payton wins, it will send a message to every talk show in America — that there’s a fine line between opinion and defamation, and crossing it can come with a very heavy price.”
For now, Sean Payton remains focused — both on the field and in court. Whether this legal battle ends in settlement or a landmark judgment, one thing is clear: he’s not backing down.
“They wanted a spectacle,” he said in a final statement. “Now they’re going to get one — just not the one they expected.”
