When Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland passed away on November 6 at the age of 24, his Dallas teammates, who were spread out throughout the nation, were on bye week. Days passed before the Cowboys could gather and grieve together.
When his team returned as a unit, coach Brian Schottenheimer made sure they had the assistance they required. Football was immediately put on the back burner because he understood that everyone needed time to grieve and celebrate Kneeland’s life.
When the Cowboys gathered to celebrate Kneeland’s life on November 10, Schottenheimer described the facilities to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. He said:
“We had a team meeting and we just talked and we laughed and we cried and we cried some more,”. “We had some experts there that we could talk to, we had breakout sessions where we could talk about it, share our feelings. I’m telling you, man, the healing for me started the minute I could put my arms around some of these guys, and tell them I love them and tell them how much I miss Marshawn, and that just kind of started it.”
“And we have such a great culture, man. And I know some people think that’s bulls—. But this locker room is different. This locker room is special. This locker room loves one another. This locker room will fight to the end for one another, and Marshawn was a huge part of that. And if anything, I think it’s kind of brought us even closer together.”
The Cowboys have been inspired to play their best in remembrance of Kneeland by his passing. Sunday’s thrilling comeback victory over the Eagles, who lost 24–21 after blowing a 21-point lead, demonstrated that fight. To include Kneeland in the festivities following the victory, the Dallas team displayed the flag they had created for him in the locker room.
