By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
and
Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
Former Godwin Heights football standout and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died Thursday morning from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to law authorities in Texas.
In his second season with the Cowboys, Kneeland recently scored his first NFL touchdown during a Monday Night Football loss when recovering a blocked punt in the end zone. After graduating from Godwin Heights, Kneeland played football at Western Michigan University and was the Cowboys second round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
“Kneeland’s Senior year was a highlight reel with 110 tackles, including eight quarterback sacks on the defensive side, but also 20 catches for 330 yards and five touchdowns on the offensive side as a tight end,” said Game of the Week Sports Announcer Mike Moll, who has spent decades covering local high school sports for WKTV. (See below for more details about Kneeland’s local and NFL football career.)
“WKTV and Godwin Heights have had a very long running relationship bringing high school sports to West Michigan,” Moll explained. “The school’s cooperation in not only allowing us onto the campus, but getting us requested information for a broadcast is always nearly immediate. Not only does the administration know and appreciate the coverage, but the community does also.”
In a Press Release from Godwin Heights Public Schools, Superintendent Chad Conklin, states,“We are deeply saddened to share the news that Marshawn Kneeland has passed away. Marshawn was a remarkable individual, a gifted athlete, an exceptional student, a dedicated teammate, and a valued member of the Godwin Heights community. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends, and all who were impacted by his life.
“Marshawn’s passion for the game, his commitment to learning, his work ethic, and his warmth off the field left a lasting impression on all of us. He embodied qualities of determination, character, and kindness that we will always honor. Although his time with us was much too short, his spirit and accomplishments will continue to leave a lasting legacy.”
A Press Release from the Frisco (Texas) Police Department from Thursday, stated:
Frisco Police investigate a possible suicide
A man was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following an outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco, Texas.
On Nov. 5, at approximately 10:39 p.m., the Frisco Police Department responded to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered the city of Frisco. After losing visual of the vehicle, troopers located it minutes later, crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway.
Initial reports indicated that a male subject, later identified as 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, TX, fled the scene on foot. Officers established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area with the assistance of the FPD K-9 and Drone units.
During the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations. Kneeland was later located at 1:31 a.m., deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The cause/manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
At this time, no further details will be released as the investigation remains ongoing.
Standout career at Godwin Heights
Kneeland played his senior season in 2018 for first-year Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble. That Godwin Heights team turned in a 6-3 record, and not counting the Covid year of 2020 when every team qualified for the state playoffs, was the last Godwin Heights team to qualify for the playoffs until this year’s team qualified.
Kneeland was a standout on both sides of the line for the Wolverines and Coach Kimble as the Wolverines turned in a winning season.
Kneeland was named first-team, all-state as a senior after earning honorable-mention, all-state honors as a junior. Kneeland was a two-time, all-conference and all-area player and a team captain. Kneeland concluded his career at Godwin Heights with career records for tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.
He also was a standout on the Godwin Heights track and field team. Kneeland was a regional champion in the 400-meter run and was an all-conference high jumper. Kneeland also was a standout in the classroom and was a member of the honor roll.
After his career at Godwin Heights, Kneeland went on to play college football at Western Michigan University. Kneeland played for the Broncos from 2019 to 2023. In 2023 Kneeland earned second-team, All-Mid-American Conference honors as he totaled a career-high 57 tackles along with 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. For his career, Kneeland totaled 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks.
Following the 2023 season Kneeland attended the National Football League pre-draft combine in Indianapolis where he posted impressive numbers that moved up the draft boards of NFL team.
Kneeland was eventually selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In his rookie season of 2024 with the Cowboys Kneeland appeared in 11 games and totaled 14 tackles. This season Kneeland took on an expanded role with the Cowboys. In seven games, including three starts, Kneeland has accumulated 12 tackles and one quarterback sack.
The Dallas Cowboys organization issued this statement Thursday morning:
“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.”
