Marshawn Kneeland's cause of death was tragic. According to police in Texas, the Dallas Cowboys player fled after a routine traffic stop, first in a vehicle and then on foot.
Before police could catch up to him, they believe he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after, according to TMZ, he texted his family and girlfriend goodbye, prompting her frantic call to 911.
It was a horrific ending for a promising young NFL player who, at just 24 years of age, had everything to look forward to, and now, his team's quarterback, Dak Prescott, is speaking out about it for the first time to CBS Sports Texas.
"It's been a very tough day," Prescott shared in that interview. "As you said, it started early this morning, finding out the news. Tragic loss, I hurt—heavy, heavy heart today. I hurt for Marshawn, I hurt for his family. I hurt for his girlfriend. I hurt for every single one of my teammates."
Continued Prescott, "This is a pain that you don't wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn't have to go through what he went through."
He added: "Thankful for each moment we have in this life, and don't take it for granted. Hug and love on those that you do. It's okay to feel however you're feeling," he continued. "I'll tell you first and foremost, I don't always have the answers, and today is not a day that I felt like I had answers. Triggering day for many reasons...hard to balance my emotions today."
TMZ noted that Prescott's brother Jace also died of suicide, prompting the QB to launch a mental health initiative.
According to Prescott, "Tough moment for this team. I feel, and hurt for everybody that's involved in this and Marshawn's family and loved ones."
Frisco police shared details in a news release. "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," they wrote.
"During the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations," police added. "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."