Former Cowboys defender Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide at 24, found to have early stage CTE

Dak Prescott and George Pickens dedicated the Dallas Cowboys’ comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles to their late teammate Marshawn Kneeland.

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, was diagnosed with Stage 1 of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in a postmortem brain tissue analysis.

There are four stages of CTE, with Stage 4 showing the most damage. The Boston University CTE Center diagnosed Kneeland’s brain, and his family released the results through the Concussion & CTE Foundation.

Kneeland’s family, including his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, released a statement.

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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) walks off the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2024. (Tim Heitman/Imagn Images)

"While this diagnosis does not change the tragedy of his passing, it provides important context about some of the struggles he may have been facing. We share this information to help people understand what NFL and other high contact sport athletes might be struggling with," the family said in a statement through the Concussion & CTE Foundation.

"Raising awareness is important to us. We continue to remember Marshawn with compassion for the person he was, rather than defining him by the final moments of his life. One Love."

Dr. Ann McKee, the director of the Boston University CTE Center and chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston