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The Dallas Cowboys paid a powerful tribute to the late Marshawn Kneeland in their first home game since the NFL star took his own life at the age of 24.
With AT&T Stadium packed for the Cowboys' showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa carried a No 94 flag out onto the field before his warmup, commemorating the number Kneeland wore.
Then, while out on the field, Odighizuwa carried Kneeland's jersey over towards the team's dugout, while head coach Brian Schottenheimer wore a shirt with Kneeland's face on it.
Moments before the game began on Sunday afternoon, the Cowboys played a video reflecting on Kneeland's time with the franchise, beginning with when they drafted him in 2024.
When the video was played to honor him, both Scottenheimer and opposition coach Nick Sirianni fought back tears.
The Cowboys fans also made sure to honor Kneeland, too. The were plenty of tributes spotted throughout the 80,000-seater stadium, with many holding flags remembering his life.
Dallas Cowboys lineman Osa Odighizuwa holds up Marshawn Kneeland's No 94 jersey
Before the games vs Philadelphia Eagles, a tribute to Kneeland was played on the jumbotron
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer appeared to fight back tears in the tribute
Kneeland's pregnant girlfriend, Catalina, was in attendance for Sunday's game, alongside other members of his family.
The 24-year-old was found dead on Nov 6 from what police said was an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, hours after being pursued by officers who had attempted a traffic stop in suburban Dallas.
Kneeland died during the Cowboys' bye week, days after scoring a touchdown in team's 27-17 loss to Arizona Cardinals.
They played their first game without him last Monday night, winning 33-16 at the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kneeland drove at nearly 150mph before crashing into another car on the night of his death, according to a police report obtained by TMZ.
A Texas Department of Public Safety officer clocked him speeding at around 10:30pm on November 5. After following him, he then saw the late NFL player making 'several unsafe lane changes' as he passed other cars.
The officer claims he attempted to pull Kneeland over but he did not comply and, before long, the Dodge Charger disappeared out of view.
According to reports, police found the car minutes later. It had crashed into another vehicle before stopping in a field but Kneeland was not there.
Kneeland, pictured with his girlfriend Catalina Mancera, died this month in an apparent suicide
Cowboys players take a moment to remember their teammate before the game vs Eagles
Inside the car, police claim to have found an empty gun holster but no firearm. The authorities then launched a search for Kneeland - including using dogs.
His body was eventually found in a port-a-potty around 1.30am on November 6. He had reportedly suffered a fatal - and self-inflicted - gunshot wound.
The Cowboys star had earlier sent his family a group text saying 'goodbye' during the drama involving the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, according to a police audio dispatch.
Kneeland's girlfriend Catalina Mancera also warned the police that the NFL player had a gun and that she feared he would kill himself.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or at http://988lifeline.org.
