This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Details surrounding the tragic death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland were revealed Thursday after officials confirmed that the 24-year-old NFL pro died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase in Texas.

The Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement detailing the events of Wednesday night that ultimately led officials to find Kneeland “deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to officials, DPS troopers attempted to make a traffic stop around 10:33 p.m. when the driver, later identified as Kneeland, refused to stop. Authorities engaged in a pursuit but eventually lost sight of Kneeland’s vehicle, ending the chase.

His car was later found abandoned, and authorities began searching the area. Kneeland was later found dead.

Frisco police, which assisted in the DPS pursuit, released a statement saying that the abandoned vehicle was found by troopers “minutes later” and that Kneeland was believed to have fled on foot.

Police said that during their search, they learned that “Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations.”

Marshawn Kneeland (94) of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sideline during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

He was located at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Frisco police said that the official cause of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office, but he appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Cowboys first released a statement confirming the news of Kneeland’s death.

COWBOYS DEFENSIVE END MARSHAWN KNEELAND DEAD AT 24

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

Kneeland’s family released a statement shortly after his cause of death was revealed.

“We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief. 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.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) recovers a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 3, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“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.”

Kneeland was in his second season with the Cowboys after being selected 56th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. His death came just days after he recorded his first NFL touchdown in a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Welcome to the Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.

ALL EYES ON MLB – According to FOX Sports, 25,984,000 viewers tuned into Game 7 across FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX Sports streaming services. The company said it was the most-watched World Series game since Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. Continue reading … 

WORLD SERIES MVP – Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched all nine innings in Game 2. He threw six innings in Game 6, and went 2 ⅔ innings in Game 7 to secure the Dodgers’ second consecutive championship. Yamamoto became the second Japanese-born player to earn World Series MVP honors. Continue reading … 

THREE’S A CHARM – Shohei Ohtani has two World Series rings in his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the two-way Japanese superstar already has his sights set on a potential trifecta. Continue reading …

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani acknowledges the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)

‘THE TRUTH’ – The Baltimore Ravens bolstered their pass rush by picking up Dre’Mont Jones. The Tennessee Titans received a conditional draft pick in exchange for Jones, who praised the Tennessee rookie quarterback. “Cam is the truth too y’all give ‘em time, he can be great,” Jones said. Continue reading …

MAKING MOVES – The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Pro Bowl defensive back Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens in a swap of draft picks a few days before the NFL trade deadline. Continue reading …

SELL MODE – The New York Jets were involved in a series of blockbuster trades leading up to Tuesday’s deadline. New York sent All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. In a separate deal, Sauce Gardner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a player and two first-round draft picks. Continue reading … 

New York Jets helmets during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports)

‘HE’S A BUM’ – The Cowboys dropped Monday’s game to the Cardinals, falling to 3-5-1 on the season. Dak Prescott finished the night with 259 passing yards. While the Cowboys’ offense has been a strong point this season, Draymond Green criticized Prescott and questioned his ability to ever win a championship. Continue reading …

FROM FOX SPORTS – The flurry of activity by the Dallas Cowboys leading up to this year’s NFL trade deadline prompted an animated reaction from Dak Prescott. “I’m f—— pumped. You can quote me on that,” the Pro Bowl quarterback said. Continue reading …

FROM OUTKICK – Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fell to the turf in pain late in the 38-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was diagnosed with a dislocated elbow and could return before season’s end, though the team must decide whether to play him again. Continue reading …

WATCH NOW – The Bills beat the Chiefs in Week 9 in Josh Allen’s fifth consecutive regular-season win against Patrick Mahomes. FOX Sports’ “First Things First” crew asked if the Bills are Super Bowl contenders. They also discussed the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series. Watch here …

FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS

Fox News First

Fox News Opinion

Fox News Lifestyle

Fox News Health

DOWNLOAD OUR APPS

Fox News

Fox Business

Fox Weather

Fox Sports

Tubi

WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE

Fox News Go

OUTKICK COVERAGE

OutKick

Sign up for OutKick’s daily newsletter

STREAM FOX NATION

Fox Nation

Former USC and NFL linebacker Keith Browner died Tuesday morning in San Leandro, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau confirmed Wednesday. He was 63.

Keith Browner Jr. told TMZ that he talked to his father Monday night when the elder Browning was having stomach problems, vomiting and feeling tired. Browner Jr. said his father told him he would go to the hospital the next morning.

Browner was getting ready to go to the hospital Tuesday morning, according to TMZ, “when he curled over the side of a chair and collapsed to the floor next to his girlfriend.” TMZ also reported that “it appears” Browner suffered a heart attack and that his death was “unexpected and sudden.”

Alameda County authorities provided no cause of death Wednesday.

Born in Warren, Ohio, Browner was the fifth of six brothers, all of whom played college football and four of whom went on to play in the NFL. A second-round pick (30th overall) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984, Browner also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and San Diego Chargers during a five-year NFL career.

Oldest brother Ross Browner spent 10 years in the NFL, playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. Jimmie Browner Jr. played two years with the Bengals. Joey Browner was a six-time Pro Bowl player who spent nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one with the Buccaneers.

Browner Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a college and pro football player. A standout defensive end at Dorsey High, Browner Jr. played three seasons at California and one season with the Houston Texans.

A nephew, Ross Browner’s son Max Starks, played nine years for the Pittsburgh Steelers and one for the St. Louis Rams.

Browner — who was 14 when his father, Jimmie, died of cancer at age 49 — said his mother Julia was the driving force behind her sons’ passion for the sport.

“She’s the one who always urged us to play,” he told the Dayton Daily News in 2023, “and sometimes she’d be right out there with us in the yard when we were having pick-up games.”

A three-sport standout at Warren Harding High, Browner spent four seasons at USC (1980-83), overlapping with brother Joey for the first three. He was named a captain for his final season and finished his college career with six interceptions in 34 games played.

Browner made the NFL’s all-rookie team in 1984. After three years with the Buccaneers, he split the 1987 season between the 49ers and Raiders before spending his final NFL season with the Chargers.

He finished his NFL career with 10.5 sacks, four interceptions (including one returned 55 yards for the Chargers against the Seattle Seahawks in 1988) and five fumble recoveries, then played two seasons in the Canadian Football League and six in the Arena Football League.

Browner is survived by his son and four daughters.