NFL asks all teams to hold moment of silence for Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland on Sunday
It appears that each of the 12 NFL games on Sunday will honor the late Marshawn Kneeland.
ESPN reported Saturday, the NFL sent a memo to every team on Friday, asking them to hold a moment of silence during their pre-game ceremonies days after his death.
After the moment of silence, a message will be read in each stadium that says, “If you or someone you know is struggling or needs emotional support, please call or text 988. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24-7 to help,” per the outlet.
This request from the league comes just two days after the Broncos held a moment of silence for the Cowboys defensive end ahead of their 10-7 win over the Raiders at Mile High Stadium on Thursday.
Kneeland, 24, was found dead on Thursday morning from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
After Kneeland failed to stop following a traffic violation Wednesday night, DPS troopers said they got into a vehicle pursuit with the former second-round pick.
Troopers later found Kneeland’s car abandoned after initially losing sight of the vehicle.
Kneeland’s body was then found in a porta-potty close to his car, according to the police audio obtained by TMZ.
The police audio also mentioned that Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina, said that he was armed and would “end it all.”
“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, and her quote was, ‘He will end it all,’” the dispatcher said.
The Cowboys have a bye this week and will play their first game since his death on Monday, Nov. 17 against the Raiders.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
NFL Pays Tribute to Marshawn Kneeland with Moment of Silence During Thursday Night Football After His Death at 24
The Dallas Cowboys defensive end was found dead in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, Nov. 6
The NFL is paying tribute to Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland after his death at 24.
The Cowboys announced in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday, Nov. 6 that the athlete had “tragically passed away.”
Following the news, a moment of silence was held on his behalf during Thursday Night Football on Nov. 6, ahead of the game between the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kneeland’s photograph was shown on the scoreboard in Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., as Broncos announcer Conor McGahey said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Denver Broncos join the Dallas Cowboys and the entire NFL community in mourning Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who tragically passed away this morning.”
“As we offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and teammates, please stand and join in a moment of silence to remember the life of Marshawn Kneeland,” he continued.
As previously reported by PEOPLE, Texas DPS Aircraft and troopers, along with the Frisco Police Department, discovered Kneeland dead “from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound” at 1:31 a.m. local time on Thursday morning.
He died after allegedly leading Texas DPS troopers on a chase just north of Dallas on Wednesday night, per authorities.
The athlete’s body was discovered in the immediate area of his car, which had crashed in the southbound lanes of the Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway in Frisco at 10:39 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a news release shared with PEOPLE.
Troopers had attempted to stop Kneeland for a traffic violation on the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway near Keller Springs Blvd., but he refused to comply, authorities said.
Kneeland then allegedly fled, and troopers pursued his vehicle until they lost sight of it.
According to the Frisco Police Department, during the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland “had expressed suicidal ideations.”
In the hours before Kneeland’s tragic death, his girlfriend had called police, worried for his life, according to police dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE.
“We’re talking to the girlfriend. She’s trying to call his agent, but we’re trying to get her to call him first, but she’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness and her quote was, ‘He will end it all,’ ” one dispatcher was heard saying during the course of the call.
A dispatcher could also be heard saying that Kneeland’s family “received a text from him, a group text from him, saying goodbye. They’re concerned for his welfare.”
The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine his official cause of death.
Kneeland’s team and his agent were among the many sharing their grief about the loss of the promising young player after the news emerged online.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the Cowboys said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
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His agent, Jonathan Perzley, said he was “shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” in a statement shared by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday.