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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reacts to death of Marshawn Kneeland

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has opened up about the death of defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland. While appearing on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, Jones said that Kneeland “touched everybody in different ways,” and he had a “passion” for football.

“Devastated. Hard to believe,” Jerry Jones said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. “It was in the middle of the night when we all got the news. … As a teammate, (Kneeland) touched everybody in many different ways.

“It’s just a time when you acknowledge there are no answers. It makes you want to live life to the fullest. His death is such a national awareness thing. … There’s no doubt in my mind that (the team will move forward) in memory of what he was all about. He was very unique in his passion for the game.”

Marshawn Kneeland died last Thursday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, according to law authorities (via ESPN). He was 24 years old. In his last game, Kneeland scored a touchdown, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals last Monday.

Cowboys will have multiple tributes for Marshawn Kneeland

The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, the former Western Michigan player recorded 17 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery. This season, Kneeland tallied 15 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and six quarterback pressures.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend Catalina, family, friends, and his teammates,” the NFL said in a statement last Thursday. “We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources.”

The Cowboys have several tributes planned to honor Kneeland for their upcoming game and the rest of the season. The team will wear decals for the remainder of the year in remembrance of Kneeland. Dallas will also wear t-shirts before Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Nov. 23 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, which will be its first home game since Kneeland’s death.