Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland Poignant Final Twitter Post Before Shocking Death
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Marshawn Kneeland #DL41 of Western Michigan participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine before he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Second-year Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was not one to leave a major social media path but before his stunning death at age 24 this week, which the Cowboys announced on Thursday morning, he posted one of the great highlights of his life: The moment he was drafted to Dallas.
Kneeland’s most recent post on Instagram dates back to April 2024, when he was chosen by the Cowboys in the second round of the NFL draft. He also posted an especially poignant message a year ago on Twitter/X.
Last year on Twitter/X, Kneeland reposted and commented on a photo from his former defensive line coach at Western Michigan David Denham, who posted a photo of some of his players with the caption, “Always a great evening when the guys come over!
Kneeland wrote, in May of 2024, “Enjoy this. It goes by fast.”
Cowboys Announced Marshawn Kneeland Death at 9:35 a.m. Thursday
The moment is imbued with an extra bit of weight and gravity given the death of Kneeland. Int he wake of announcing the tragedy at 9:35 a.m. ET, the Cowboys wrote in a statement: “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
On Instagram, his final post was that of him being drafted in 2024.
The video clip shows Cowboys executive Will McClay on the phone to Kneeland, telling him someone wants to speak with him. McClay then hands the phone to owner Jerry Jones, who said, “Marshawn, well first of all, we’re gonna put a star on that helmet. Sure had a lot of really complimentary things that have been said about you over the last few weeks since we’ve been in this evaluation process but we are excited about you, being a Dallas Cowboy.”
To which, Kneeland replied: “For sure, thank you.”
Agent Confirms Marshawn Kneeland Death
Additionally, Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed the death of his Cowboys client.
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Perzley said in a statement. “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.”
Broncos Rookie’s Heartbreaking Journey to the NFL: A Story of Resilience, Family, and Redemption
For many, the journey to the NFL is one of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. But for
, his road to the NFL is defined by something far more powerful: family, resilience, and the strength to overcome a childhood marked by hardship and separation.
Johnson, now a promising young star for the
Denver Broncos, has already faced a journey few can truly understand. At just 10 years old, he was thrust into a world of uncertainty when his parents divorced. The separation fractured his childhood, with both of his parents moving on to build new families, leaving Johnson to navigate his youth without the conventional family structure many take for granted.
What followed was a life that many might deem tragic, but for Johnson, it was the foundation of his character. Raised by his grandparents, Johnson found love, stability, and guidance. They provided him with a safe space to heal and grow, even as the absence of his biological parents loomed over his daily life. Despite the challenges, Johnson has always remained
grateful for the support his grandparents offered, and it was their encouragement that helped him succeed both on and off the field.
“Growing up with my grandparents wasn’t easy, but it was full of love,” Johnson shared. “They taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and kindness. I never really saw my parents after they divorced, but that didn’t matter. I had all I needed from my grandparents.”
Now, as Johnson embarks on his NFL career, the very people who once left him have returned to congratulate him. His parents, who built new families and lived separate lives for years, have recently come back into his life to celebrate his success. In a touching moment, Johnson received a heartfelt message from both parents after earning his first NFL paycheck.
“Getting that first paycheck was a huge milestone for me,” Johnson explained. “But the moment that truly meant the most was when my parents reached out. It was like a full circle. They were there for me in a way I never expected.”
The emotional reunion is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness. Despite the years of separation and heartache, Johnson has allowed himself to heal and find peace. The love of his grandparents, coupled with the support of his parents as he begins his NFL journey, has become a symbol of how family—both the ones we’re born into and the ones we create—can shape our destiny.
For the Broncos, Johnson is not only a player with immense potential on the field, but he represents something far greater—a story of triumph over adversity, a testament to resilience, and a reminder that success is not solely defined by where we come from, but by how we rise above the challenges we face.
As Johnson prepares for his future in the NFL, he is not only fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a professional athlete. He is also proving that no matter the circumstances, it’s never too late to rewrite your story—and that family, in all its forms, is what truly makes us whole.
