HEARTWARMING: Puka Nacua Joins Marshawn Kneeland’s Father After He Donates Entire Remaining Salary to Launch Youth Mental Health Foundation
In an incredibly heartfelt move that goes beyond the football field, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has joined Shawn Kneeland, the father of late Dallas Cowboys defensive end
Just one day after Mr. Kneeland announced that he would donate his late son’s remaining $5.6 million salary to create a foundation supporting youth mental health, Nacua personally flew to Dallas to attend a candlelight vigil held in Marshawn’s memory. The gathering drew hundreds of fans, players, and community leaders, united by grief and hope.
"Faith teaches us to lift others in their darkest moments," Nacua said with quiet conviction. "What Shawn is doing turns unimaginable loss into purpose. It’s a reminder that our calling as athletes — and as people — is to serve something bigger than ourselves."
Witnesses described an emotional moment as Nacua embraced Mr. Kneeland, the two bowing their heads in silent prayer. They later spoke about the foundation’s mission: to provide mental health counseling, mentorship, and crisis support for young athletes struggling with emotional challenges.
"My son admired players who played with heart and humility," Shawn said softly. "Seeing Puka here, standing with me, shows that compassion knows no team colors."
Nacua pledged $250,000 through the
As the night came to a close, Mr. Kneeland looked toward the candlelit sky and whispered:
"My son’s name will always stand for hope. And tonight, that hope feels alive again."
Through faith, love, and purpose, Marshawn Kneeland’s legacy continues to inspire — proving that even in heartbreak, the NFL’s truest strength lies in its humanity.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Gets Bad News About His NFL Future
Getty Images
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders faces an uncertain future.
Shedeur Sanders hasn’t taken a single regular-season snap for the Cleveland Browns, but the rookie quarterback is already facing questions about his future.
Sanders is currently the backup in Cleveland to Dillon Gabriel, who has gone 1-3 in his starts this season. Despite Gabriel’s struggles, the Browns have shown little interest in giving Sanders a shot.
In ESPN’s midseason mock draft, analysts Mike Greenberg, Field Yates, and Mel Kiper Jr. projected the Browns to select Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with the No. 6 overall pick — a move that would immediately put pressure on Sanders’ standing in Cleveland.
According to their projections, Moore would be the third quarterback off the board, following Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who goes No. 1 to the New Orleans Saints, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson, who lands with the New York Jets at No. 3.
“This is tough,” Kiper said. “Shedeur is there. It doesn’t seem like they’ll ever give Shedeur much of a chance, right? Dillon Gabriel is playing, but we don’t think Dillon Gabriel is a franchise quarterback. … Dante Moore, for me, I still have him number one on the board.”
The Browns have two picks in the first round. There’s still a lot that needs to play out, but if Cleveland takes a quarterback high, it’ll further bury Sanders on the depth chart or force him to look for another team.
Mel Kiper Vocal Supporter of Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
The projection is especially troublesome coming from Kiper, who has been a vocal supporter of Sanders. The veteran draft analyst had Sanders as his top quarterback available in the draft and was stunned when Sanders fell to the fifth round.
“I don’t care what the league says,” Kiper said recently. “The league doesn’t speak about quarterbacks, they don’t know any more than you or I do about quarterbacks, really. Everybody’s clueless about quarterbacks including the National Football League geniuses, OK? They don’t know. Even when they have them, they don’t know. (The Browns) had Baker Mayfield, they let him go. …
“Didn’t nine executives have (Shedeur Sanders) going as the No. 1 quarterback at this same time last year? What happened? Nothing happened on the field. All the sudden, ‘We’re washing our hands of Shedeur Sanders. We don’t want him, we don’t want him, we don’t want him.’ To me, the organizations ruin players. They ruin quarterbacks.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Healthy After Injury
Sanders missed the Browns’ Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots with a back injury he suffered later in the week. He’s been rehabbing hard and is expected to resume the backup role on Sunday against the Jets as the Browns emerge from their bye week.
“He will be the number two, yes,” Stefanski confirmed on Friday.
The Browns sit at 2-6, and their playoff chances are already hanging by a thread. If Gabriel — a third-round pick — continues to struggle, Sanders could soon get his shot.
In a bid to jumpstart an offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every major category, the Browns handed play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees this week, hoping the change will provide the spark they desperately need.
