Concerns about Marshawn Kneeland’s mental health before his tragic death
The Western Michigan University police were called on two occasions to perform welfare checks on Marshawn Kneeland, including a request from coaches concerned about the possession of a firearm. Kneeland, who played as a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, died on November 6 at the age of 24, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Frisco, Texas.
Documents reveal that there were concerns about his mental health since 2020. An incident in June 2023, ten months before being selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the NFL draft, involved Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor and then-defensive coordinator Lou Esposito. They called the police due to concerns that Kneeland had recently separated from his girlfriend and wanted to ensure he was mentally fit to possess a weapon.
After speaking with Kneeland, he voluntarily surrendered the weapon to the police for safekeeping until authorized by a counselor.
Twelve days later, Kneeland got his weapon back after obtaining a letter from a social worker at the Sindecuse Health Center of Western Michigan, which indicated that Kneeland did not pose a threat to himself or others. Neither Taylor nor Esposito responded to requests for comment.
In another incident in September 2020, a friend of Kneeland called 911 expressing concern for his well-being. Police found Kneeland near the train tracks in Kalamazoo. Kneeland stated that he hoped a train would hit him to end his life. The report indicates that he did not want to seek medical help, but Kent County Sheriff’s deputies sent him to Borgess Hospital.
A Cowboys spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the team was aware of Kneeland’s previous incidents. His cousin, Nicole Kneeland-Woods, stated that she had no knowledge of these events. Kneeland’s family held a private memorial service on Thursday in Wyoming, Michigan. Texas police found Kneeland’s body on the morning of November 6 after he evaded officers during a vehicular pursuit.
According to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Kneeland was driving at high speed, sometimes exceeding 145 miles per hour, and making dangerous lane changes. Officers received information that Kneeland had expressed “suicidal ideations”.
