New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are gearing up for their Week 10 action with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they will look to earn their seventh-straight win and push their record to 8-2 on the season. On Thursday morning, though, the NFL world was dealt a shocking blow that forced teams to take their attention off the game they know and love.
The Dallas Cowboys shared that one of their players, defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, had tragically passed away early on Thursday. While his initial cause of death was not revealed, authorities have since labeled it an apparent suicide.
Kneeland’s sudden death just days after he scored a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Week 9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals has rattled the NFL. Shortly after the news of Kneeland’s passing came out, Patriots’ special teams coach Jeremy Springer opened his press conference on Thursday by sending a message to Dallas.
“Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer leads off by sharing condolences to the Dallas Cowboys and family of Marshawn Kneeland,” Mike Reiss of ESPN shared in a post on X.
The Cowboys selected Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft after he put together a standout collegiate career with the Western Michigan Broncos. In 18 games with Dallas, Kneeland racked up 26 tackles, one sack and one pass deflection.
It’s tough to focus on football when something bigger than the game happens, as it has here, and there’s no doubt it’s been a difficult day for the NFL community as a whole. After practicing on Thursday, though, New England will practice one more time on Friday before heading south for its Week 10 meeting with Tampa Bay.
