Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death
· KRGV (NBC 5)
Marshawn Kneeland, a former Dallas Cowboys defensive end, died by suicide in November 2025 after a police chase. His family revealed that he had early-stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. The Boston University CTE Center confirmed he was in stage one of four stages of this degenerative disease, known to cause mood swings and depression. Kneeland's family emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the struggles faced by athletes in contact sports. He began playing football at age 7 and was drafted by the Cowboys in 2024. CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously.
AI summary · Source: KRGV (NBC 5) →
