Dak Prescott speaks on the death of Dallas Cowboys teammate Marshawn Kneeland
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott joined the rest of his teammates in having a tough day Thursday after learning of the tragic death of defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, who took his own life at the end of a police chase in Frisco.
Speaking at a preplanned dedication ceremony at his hometown high school in Haughton, Louisiana, Prescott shared his first public thoughts on what was a hard day to compartmentalize.
“It’s been a very tough day,” Prescott told CBS News Texas. “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. 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. I’m just thankful for every moment we have in this life and don’t take it for granted. Hug and love on those that you do.”
Prescott has long been one of the NFL’s strongest advocates for mental health awareness. A big part of his Walter Payton Man of the Year award-winning season in 2022 was his Faith Fight Finish Foundation that raises awareness for mental health. It was founded after Prescott lost his brother, Jace, to suicide in 2020.
“It’s OK to feel however you’re feeling,” Prescott said. “I’ll tell you first and foremost, I won’t always have the answers. Today is not a day where I feel like I had answers. Triggering day for many reasons on top of knowing that this is what I had today. It’s hard to balance my emotions today. It’s not a day that I have words other than I love you to friends and family that may be struggling.”
With it being the Cowboys’ bye week, a large faction of the team was away from the facility when the news came down Thursday morning. Prescott said the players and coaches hopped on a video call to express their emotions and be there for each other.
“We had a Zoom call, and those that spoke did an amazing job,” Prescott said. “I’ll tell that person how I feel about them when I see them. Tough moments for this team. I feel and hurt for everybody that’s involved in this, and Marshawn’s family and loved ones.”
Another strong advocate for mental health on the Cowboys, defensive tackle Solomon Thomas started his own foundation called The Defensive Line after the suicide death of his sister, Ella, in 2018. He shared his perspective on Instagram on Thursday.
“Brother Marshawn, I love you,” Thomas said. “I wish you knew it was going to be okay. I wish you knew the pain wouldn’t last and how loved you are. I wish you knew how bad we wanted you to stay. My heart breaks for you and your loved ones. We will lift your spirit up every day.”
The Cowboys will return to their practice facility in Frisco on Monday after the conclusion of their bye week.
