Cowboys QB Dak Prescott breaks his silence on teammate Marshawn Kneeland's shock death

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott mourned the loss of his teammate, Marshawn Kneeland, just hours after the defensive lineman's death. 

Kneeland, a defensive end for the Cowboys, was tragically discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Texas late on Wednesday night. 

A few hours after the heartbreaking news broke, Prescott, whose own brother took his life in 2020, spoke about the 'pain' of losing Kneeland on what had been an emotional day. 

'It's been a very tough day,' Prescott told CBS Sports Texas. 'As you said, it started earlier today, finding out the news. It's a 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 you don't wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through with this. You wish Marshawn didn't have to go through what he went through. Just thankful for each moment we have in this life, and don't take it for granted. Hug and love on those that you do.' 

With the Cowboys on their bye week, the signal caller was back in his hometown of Haughton, Louisiana, for a ceremony in which his high school football field was renamed in his honor. 

Prescott admitted that he had been battling a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the day as he urged anyone struggling with mental health to speak up and seek help. 

'It's okay to feel however you're feeling,' Prescott said. 'I'll tell you first and foremost, I don't always have the answers. Today is not a day I felt like I had answers. Triggering day for many reasons, on top of knowing that this was ahead today. Hard to balance my emotions. Not a day that I have words, other than 'I love you' for friends and family and people who may be struggling.' 

The Cowboys were away from the facilities on Thursday and are not scheduled to return to training until Monday before their next game against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 17.

However, the team held a Zoom call to remotely console one another, Prescott revealed. 

The quarterback has long been an advocate for mental health, making a concreted effort to support others who have struggled through tough situations or have suffered the loss of a loved one.

In April 2020, Prescott's older brother, Jace, took his own life at the age of 31. The three Prescott brothers had been very close, particularly after 2013, when they lost their mother Peggy to colon cancer while Dak was still playing at Mississippi State.

Dak previously said he knew Jace bore the greatest burden as their mom's primary caregiver while she battled cancer.

The youngest of three brothers, Dak said the Covid-19 pandemic was a struggle because he's a people person who thrives through interacting with and trying to inspire others.

A moment of silence was held to honor Kneeland ahead of the NFL's Week 10 game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos. 

The Dallas Stars also held a moment of silence for him before their NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday evening. 

In a tragic 911 audio recording obtained by TMZ, Kneeland's girlfriend told police that he would 'end it all' shortly after cops had performed a wellness check at his residence the night of his death.

'We're talking to the girlfriend, she's trying to call the agent, so we're trying to get her to call him first but she's saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness,' cops said on the recording.

The dispatch also stated that the NFL had contacted the Plano Police Department saying that the family of one of its players was concerned for his welfare. 'The subject is texting his family goodbye,' the operator said.

Kneeland, a second-round pick last year, was remembered as a 'devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend' by his family.

'We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief,' they said. 'As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field - as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.

'He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.

'We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn's life and legacy.'

His agent, Jonathan Perzley, also confirmed the 'tremendous loss, while the Cowboys said he was a 'beloved teammate and member of our organization' in a statement shared on Thursday morning.

As Kneeland was preparing for the NFL scouting combine last year he and his family were rocked by another tragedy.

The Grand Rapids native suffered a devastating loss in February 2024 when his mother, Wendy, unexpectedly died just two months before the NFL Draft.

Kneeland was ultimately drafted by the Cowboys out of Western Michigan. In nearly two seasons in the NFL, he played in 18 games for Dallas, four of which came as starts. He recorded 26 tackles and one sack.