Dallas Cowboys Mark One-Year Anniversary of Marshawn Kneeland’s Death
The Dallas Cowboys are mourning the one-year anniversary of the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who took his own life on Nov. 6, 2025. In the wake of the tragedy, the organization has started the “Huddle 94” initiative to encourage players to open up about things they are struggling with off the field.
Huddle 94: A Team Initiative
The program is named after Kneeland’s No. 94. It allows players to create conversations and get together in smaller groups to talk about life and the stressors they may have. Quarterback Dak Prescott, who has spoken about mental health following the 2020 death of his older brother, Jace, believes this initiative addresses a vital gap in support.
“He had a great spirit and energy about him. Yeah, he’s missed,” Prescott said.
The Weight of Public Scrutiny
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the team has spent recent days processing the anniversary together.
With tomorrow being the one-year anniversary of former Dallas Cowboy Marshawn Kneeland’s death, Dak Prescott spoke about the team honoring him with an initiative called “Huddle 94.” “(It’s) allowing us to create conversations and get together in smaller groups that talk about… pic.twitter.com/EAOIE6OZdf”
“There’s not a day that doesn’t go by that we don’t miss him. Obviously, the grief is real. The pain is real,” Schottenheimer told reporters.
For players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, the anniversary highlights the disconnect between the public’s view of athletes and the reality of their struggles. “Mental health, in general, is very blindly ignored,” Lamb said. “They see us as figures instead of people.”
Boston University Reveals Stage 1 CTE Diagnosis for Kneeland
Kneeland died at age 24, shortly after the team’s 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, a game in which he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Following his death, research from Boston University revealed that Kneeland had been diagnosed with Stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, noted that this finding aligns with early-stage disease patterns seen in nearly half of the athletes studied who died before age 30.
Beyond the facility, Kneeland’s legacy continues through the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund.
Friday marks the one-year anniversary of Marshawn Kneeland's tragic passing. Brian Schottenheimer said there have been conversations with the players on how to honor Kneeland this week. "We miss Marshawn so much, and what we do to honor him and his legacy will probably stay…”
Staff Organize Support Sessions for Players Following Tragedy
The team’s response to the tragedy began immediately during the 2025 bye week, when staff organized a videoconference for players and brought in clinicians, including Dr. Heather Twedell, to provide support at The Star. For those currently struggling, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988, with a dedicated option for military veterans.
🕊️ 94-ever: Nov. 6— the one-year mark of the devastating loss of Marshawn Kneeland to suicide, and as it and #mentalhealth weighs heavily on the heart & mind of many, I spoke with his #Cowboys teammates today about remembrance. Their words? Powerful.🕊️💙https://t.co/kf3adH07Vx pic.twitter.com/zxcuoxIPxC
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