Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland died by an apparent suicide at age 24.
Iowa football players emphasized that athletes are human and face pressures beyond what fans see on the field.
Players encouraged fans to be kind and check in on athletes, noting that outward success doesn’t always reflect inner struggles.
IOWA CITY — Marshawn Kneeland scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on Monday Night Football.
The Dallas defensive lineman did it on special teams during a nationally-televised matchup between the Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 3. During the second quarter, the Cowboys blocked a punt, and Kneeland recovered it in the endzone for a touchdown.
But that was the last game he would ever appear in.
Later that week, Kneeland died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in what’s being investigated as a possible suicide, according to Frisco Police. He was 24 years old.
The native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, played college football at Western Michigan before being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Cowboys.
Kneeland’s death is a tragic, yet urgent reminder of the importance of mental health, regardless of whatever wealth, social status or athletic success someone might have.
This is much bigger than sports and football and bitter rivalries.
Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule spoke at length on the topic in the aftermath Kneeland’s death.
“Our generation of kids, my kids, they all just say, ‘Yeah, I’m fine, I’m straight,’” Rhule said on Nov. 6. “It’s just like, you’ve really got to unearth it. So I look at road trips and travel — and I look at time together, practice — as chances to impact young people’s lives and try to be around them. I would encourage everybody to. I would encourage everybody, today, with your own kids, with the people you work with, just check on them. Because that young man scored a touchdown just a couple of days ago. On the outside world, you’d think he’s at the pinnacle. But he’s dealing with something and I don’t know what it was. But I pray for him — him and his family.”
Here are candid conversations with Iowa football players about what they think would be good for fans to understand about athletes and mental health.
Iowa defensive back Koen Entringer: “I think the biggest thing is that we’re people at the end of the day. I think the big difference between an athlete and just like your McDonald’s worker, per se, is like, we’re putting our job out there on the line, you know? Our job is out there, visible to see for everybody. And we make mistakes, too. But I think people forget sometimes that we are human.
Iowa football players discuss importance of mental health
