The Dallas Cowboys achieved a hard-fought, 33-16 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 17, 2025, but the game was tragically overshadowed by the profound loss of one of their own. Just 11 days prior, 24-year-old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died by suicide, plunging the entire organization into shock and sorrow. The final score was ultimately a footnote to the much larger emotional toll the tragedy had taken.
For three intense hours, the Cowboys managed to compartmentalize their sorrow and were fiercely “focused on football.” They channeled their shock and pain into a cohesive, winning effort, successfully defeating the Raiders. This temporary reprieve from reality was a testament to their professional focus, allowing them to honor their commitment to the game and, perhaps, to their fallen teammate. The team also paid tribute through actions: players wore tribute shirts, Dak Prescott added the phrase “One Love” to his wrist tape, and the team wore Kneeland’s No. 94 decal on their helmets.
However, the dam of emotion broke immediately after the final whistle. Back in the locker room, “then their emotions poured out.” The carefully suppressed grief surfaced as players and staff expressed their pain openly, confirming that the loss was immeasurably bigger than the game itself.
The tragedy was deeply personal for several Cowboys, connecting to past traumas. Quarterback Dak Prescott, who lost his older brother Jace to suicide, and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, who lost his sister Ella, offered a crucial source of empathy and wisdom. Thomas, a mental health advocate, advised teammates not to “escape grief” but to “feel that grief, feel that pain,” allowing them to use those raw emotions to honor Kneeland’s relentless style of play.
The organization has since affirmed its dedication to honoring Kneeland’s memory through their efforts, promising to play with a renewed sense of purpose. While they commit to moving forward on the field, they are brutally honest about the limits of their success. The team acknowledges that no achievement on the scoreboard will ever heal the deep wound left by the loss of their teammate, as they continue to navigate the remainder of their season while carrying Marshawn Kneeland’s spirit with them.
