This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Helplines outside the U.S. can be found at www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) walks off the field after a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Aug. 16, in Arlington, Texas.
Itβs OK to not be OK.
Every conversation about mental health includes that important statement and a message that tough times donβt last, things will get better and help is available.
Like the rest of society, the NFL has come a long way in addressing mental wellness, an evolution aimed at reducing the stigma associated with the issue. It's a discussion that is returning to the forefront as the NFL mourns the loss of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
Police in a Dallas suburb say the 24-year-old Kneeland was found dead of an apparent suicide this week after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing the scene of an accident on foot. As authorities were looking for Kneeland, a dispatcher told officers that people who knew him had received a group text from Kneeland βsaying goodbye. Theyβre concerned for his welfare,β according to recordings from Broadcastify, which archives public safety radio feeds.
MarshawnΒ Kneeland died just days after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown in the Cowboys 27-17 loss to Arizona on Monday night.
The NFL has put an emphasis in recent years on all aspects of player health.
Players are encouraged to prioritize their mental well-being. Theyβre told to seek professional support if needed. They have more resources available to them now. The NFL and NFL Players Association in 2019 made it a requirement to have a licensed behavioral health clinician on the staff of each team.
βWe donβt all understand what happened to 9-4 (Kneeland) in the instance, but mental health is important about being there for each other, whether weβre going through hard times or whatever it may be,β Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons said Friday while discussing the death of his former Cowboys teammate. "Itβs tough. Itβs a hard job. But itβs hard to be a person sometimes. I think sometimes people evade that you are human. They try to go away from that.β
The Indianapolis Colts launched βKicking The Stigmaβ in 2020, an initiative by the family that owns the team to raise awareness about mental health disorders. Breaking down barriers surrounding mental health was a personal mission for Colts owner Jim Irsay, who died in May at age 65. His youngest daughter, Kalen Jackson, is leading the cause and has talked openly about dealing with anxiety.
Many former and current players have opened up about their personal struggles in an effort to raise more awareness about a topic that used to be a silent illness.
Former Eagles star Brian Dawkins used the platform of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 to talk publicly about his battle with depression. Dawkins overcame suicidal thoughts to become one of the greatest safeties in the history of the sport. Now, heβs on a crusade to educate people about mental wellness.
βI have grown leaps and bounds because of the things that Iβve gone through, and thatβs one of those things I went through,β Dawkins said on the stage after receiving his gold jacket. βWhen I say, went through, that means I came on the other side of it. So for those who are going through it right now, thereβs hope. You do have hope. There is something on the other side of this. Donβt get caught up where you are. Donβt stay where you are. Keep moving. Keep pushing through.β
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland runs drills during NFL football training camp, July 25, in Oxnard, Calif.
Again, itβs OK to not be OK.
Sadly, this message doesnβt always get through to someone who needs to hear it.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott lost his older brother, Jace, by suicide in 2020. Teammate Solomon Thomasβ older sister Ella took her own life in January 2018 at 24 years old.
Thomas, a first-round pick in 2017, had just completed his first season with the 49ers. His sisterβs loss led to anxiety, depression and sadness.
βI wish you knew it was going to be (OK),β Thomas wrote on Instagram above a photo of Kneeland. βI wish you knew the pain wouldnβt last and how loved you are. I wish you knew how bad we wanted you to stay.β
The death hit hard for players and coaches across the league.
βIt hurts your heart,β Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard said in Tampa Bayβs locker room. βThis game is great and everything; it is one of everybodyβs childhood dreams to come and play at this level, but that is the real-life stuff people go through. You just never know, so (it) puts things in perspective for you every day that you walk into this building, being grateful and just checking on your brothers as well, make sure everything is OK with them mentally. This game is a lot on us and people tend to forget the real-life aspect of it. It hurts your heart to see.β
Parsons discussed the difficulty of trying to prepare for a game while mourning the loss of his former teammate.
βI've got former teammates that are devastated,β Parsons said. βThey canβt comprehend it. Losing a teammate is like a brother. This is someone β people donβt realize how much weβre actually together, like time spent. Thatβs the challenge. Like regardless, the NFL is like a brotherhood. It doesnβt matter who it is. If youβre breaking sweat, breaking blood with someone, whether itβs opposite team or same team, itβs a brotherhood.β
A second-round pick in 2024, Kneeland scored a touchdown after recovering a blocked punt on Monday night against Arizona. It was a highlight moment in what seemed to be a promising career.
Now, heβs gone.
